Meghalaya:Antonio War vs Ampareen Lyngdoh in 2018 will be a contest worth observing

The Battle lines are drawn and for the first time Congress will face the heat and ironically it will be from a member of its own fraternity or atleast till a few days ago .

Neil Antonio War's resignation as a MDC has larger connotations for the Laitumkhrah Assembly seat. For long the bastion of the Marbaniang/Lyngdoh family (late Peter Marbaninag his son RG Lyngdoh and now Ampareen Lyngdoh are from the same family) for once after a long gap will have a credible challenger in Antonio War.

Once groomed by the Family themselves Antonio is a two time elected MDC from the assembly segment as well as a Former Youth Congress President of Meghalaya .

Sitting in the sidelines of RG Lyngdoh and then Ampareen lyngdoh there was sense of growing frustration in Antonio War and him quitting the congress was a foregone conclusion .

Political analyst feel that War may join the BJP as his constituency has a sizeable non tribal vote which is now tilting towards the saffron brigade.

If he does join the BJP however the role of other organisation will also hold the key to this contest which should take place in early 2018.

The Christian vote especially the catholic vote will also play a key here and both Ampareen and Antonio have done a lot for the community says one church elder from the area.

For now the resignation of Antonio War is a prelude to something bigger to come and the battle for one of the most prestigious seats in Urban Shillong has begun albeit with almost 14 months to go.

And it should be one battle which will grab the eyes of the keenest of all political pundits.