Shillong, May 1: The National People’s Party (NPP) on Tuesday won the adjourned Assembly election from Williamnagar constituency snatching the seat from the Congress where sitting Congress MLA, Deborah C. Marak was brought down to third position.

Independent candidate, Sengbath R. Marak came second.

The NPP wrested the Williamnagar seat through former MLA and its candidate, Marcuise N. Marak who polled 9,656 votes, and increased the number of NPP legislators from 19 to 20 in the 60-member Assembly.

Marcuise was elected as MLA for the first time in 2008 as member of the eighth Assembly, and this is the second time where he has been elected as member of the tenth Meghalaya Assembly.

The NPP’s win from Williamnagar has led to a tie in terms of the number of MLAs between the NPP and Congress as both the parties now have 20 MLAs each.

Deborah, the former education minister and sitting Congress MLA came third securing 4,554 votes while Independent candidate, Sengbath R. Marak came second securing 4,736 votes.

NCP candidate, Krinilla R. Marak, came fourth with 4,040 votes, while the BJP candidate, Santosh R. Marak got just 870 votes. Independent candidate, Lahatson N. Marak got 512 votes, while Mahamsing M. Sangma of the United Democratic Party (UDP) got 511 votes.

The other Independent candidates, Jan N. Arengh got 329 votes, and Siljong R. Marak got 233 votes, and 279 voters voted in favour of NOTA.

Williamnagar constituency was to go to Assembly polls on February 27 together with 59 other constituencies. However the election to Williamnagar seat was adjourned following the killing of Jonathone N. Sangma (NCP candidate) in an IED blast on February 18.

Meanwhile M​eghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma congratulated and thanked​ the people of Williamnagar Constituency for having faith in the NPP and ​candidate of the party.

​”On this occasion, as we celebrate the victory of NPP and our candidate Marcuise Marak, I would like to thank God for being with us in our journey and mission to create a new Meghalaya. I am confident that Marcuise Marak will provide leadership and represent the voice and aspiration​s of the people of Williamnagar c​onstituency. Marcuise Marak has been part of our party for long and has worked hard to strengthen the party. His experience and leadership qualities will help NPP to further push growth and development in Meghalaya,” the Chief M​inister said.

​T​hanking ​all party leaders, workers and supporters, who stood with the party in its journey, Conrad said, “This is a not just a victory for Williamnagar,​ but for the people of Meghalaya. I dedicate this victory to the people, the party, and my late father Purno Agitok Sangma.”​