Shillong: A total of 317 candidates were left in the fray after withdrawal of nominations on the last date of withdrawal on February 10 for the February 26 Meghalaya Assembly elections, official sources said.

Chief Minister Dr Flinder Anderson Khonglam is locked in a five-corner contest from Sohra on HSPDP ticket, while Deputy Chief Minister D D Lapang (Congress) is fighting a four-corner contest from his earlier constituency Nongpoh.

Former Chief Minister Salseng Marak (Congress) is facing a straight fight with Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) candidate Timothy Shira from Resubelpara. Another former Chief Minister E K Mawlong is also contesting a solo rival in Stanlywiss Rymbai (Congress) from Umroi.

Assembly Speaker E D Marak (NCP) fights four others from Kharkutta, while Home (Police) Minister Lotsing A Sangma (NCP) is locked in a triangular contest from Baghmara.

Martle N Mukhim (MDP), Power Minister, is in the ring with five other contestants from Dienglieng when Dr Donkupar Roy (UDP), Higher and Technical Education Minister, is facing a six-corner contest from Shella constituency.

PTI