Shillong, Nov 9: The National People’s Party (NPP) has released its first list of 24 candidates for the upcoming Assembly elections, slated to be held early next year.

Agatha K. Sangma, the former Member of Parliament (MP) from Tura constituency, is the lone lady candidate in the first list announced by NPP state president, W.R .Kharlukhi, who is also chairman of State Election Committee (SEC) here on Thursday.

Agatha, also the youngest daughter of the former Lok Sabha Speaker and NPP leader, late Purno Agitok Sangma, will contest from South Tura, a constituency currently represented by independent MLA John Leslee K Sangma.

Along with Agatha, the NPP is fielding two former MPs in the upcoming poll which include Thomas A. Sangma from North Tura constituency.

The list also included two sitting legislators in the 60-member House – James K Sangma from Dadenggre constituency and Nihim D Shira from Songsak constituency.

Songsak is one of the constituencies in Garo Hills which the chief minister Mukul Sangma has expressed interest to contest in the upcoming poll apart from his home constituency, Ampati in South West Garo Hills District.

However, the NPP is yet to announce the name of its candidate who will be contesting against the chief minister from Ampati constituency.

The NPP is also fielding former chief executive member of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) Hispreaching Son Shylla from from Nongkrem, represented by HSPDP supremo, Ardent M Basaiawmoit. Shylla has recently quit the newly floated PDF.

Cleophas B Syiem, who is once a close-confidante of veteran Congress leader, D.D. Lapang, was also named in the list and will contest against the former chief minister from Nongpoh constituency.

Out of 24 seats in Garo Hills, the NPP has announced as many as 13 candidates from the region, which it had expressed confidence to get around 19 seats in the upcoming poll.

Similarly, a total of 11 candidates were announced from the Khasi-Jaintia Hills region which is having 36 assembly seats which include 7 from East and West Khasi Hills and two each from East & West Jaintia Hills and Ri Bhoi District.

The names of the other candidates include FW Momin from Mendipathar, TD Shira – Resubelpara, Marcuise N Marak – Williamnagar, Benedict Marak – Raksamgre, Manirul Islam Sarkar – Phulbari, Dr Mizanur Kazi – Rajabala, FCA Sangma – Selsella, Ian Botham Sangma – Salmanpara and Rakkam Sangma – Siju Rongara.

From Khasi – Jaintia Hills, the candidates include Sosthenes Sohtun – Jirang, Laplu M Sangma – Mawsynram, Sainkupar Riahtam – Shella, Lawanpynshngain K War – Mairang, Macmillan Byrsat – Nongstoin, Alfred Kharbani – Rambrai-Jyrngam, Dasakhiatbha Lamare – Mawhati, Wailadmiki Shylla – Jowai and Gilbert Sten – Mookaiaw.