Shillong Aug 25: Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma on Saturday exuded confidence that the NPP would win both the seats – South Tura and Ranikor – in the bye elections.

“We are confident of winning both the seats,” Conrad told reporters on the sidelines of the swearing-in of new Governor, Tathagata Roy at the Raj Bhavan on Saturday.

Asked if the political equation may change if the NPP’s ally, the United Democratic Party wins the bye election from Ranikor, the Chief Minister said,  “The equation will not change among the partners of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA). There will not be any change in the political equation even if one of the partners win the bye-election from Ranikor. Whether NPP or UDP wins, the coalition will remain and the party will still be part of the coalition.”

Conrad who is also the National President of the NPP said that the Congress was not in the fight in both Ranikor and South Tura which reflected the kind of a situation that the Congress was going through.

Conrad who is still the Lok Sabha MP from Tura, is seeking election from South Tura in this bye election in order to continue as Chief Minister. His opponents  include Charlotte W. Momin of the opposition Congress, and two Independents – former MLA of South Tura, John Leslee K. Sangma and Chris Kabul Sangma.

In Ranikor, former Assembly Speaker and five-time MLA, Martin M. Danggo who quit the Congress and joined the National People’s Party is fighting with three other opponents – Pius Marweiñ of the United Democratic Party, former Mawsynram MLA, P.N. Syiem of the People’s Democratic Front and Jackuis Sangma of the opposition Congress.

Around 88.9 per cent of voters in Ranikor constituency and 72.89 per cent in South Tura constituency exercised their franchise in the bye elections held in the two seats held on August 23.

The counting of votes will take place at Mawkyrwat for Ranikor and Tura for South Tura constituency on August 27.