Tura, March 23: It was a solemn Sunday for Congress candidate, Daryl William Momin, 27, who is pitted against veteran Purno Sangma of the National People’s Party for the April 9 Lok Sabha polls.
Momin thanked God to have blessed him abundantly, as he takes on Purno, the strongman of politics in North East.
Pastor Rev Janang R Sangma led the prayer for victory. He read out Psalm verse 20 from the Bible.
May the Lord answer you when you are in trouble!/May the God of Jacob protect you!/May he send you help from his Temple/and give you aid from Mount Zion./ May he accept all your offerings/ and be pleased with all your sacrifices./May he give you what you desire/ and make all your plans succeed./ Then we will shout for joy over your victory/and celebrate your triumph by praising our God./May the Lord answer all your requests.
The prayer meeting was attended by his close friends, relatives, well-wishers and Congress party activists, who assembled at his residence in Hawakhana.
The meeting drew an analogy of the Bible story of David and Goliath in comparing Daryl Momin with the giant of Indian politics, Purno Sangma, a former Lok Sabha speaker, who represented Tura seat for eight consecutive times, since 1977.
Momin was motivated by Rev Janang, who explained the Biblical story. It goes:
A philistine giant measuring over nine feet tall and wearing full armor had challenged the Israelite for a war. His name was Goliath. Saul, the King of Israel, and the whole army were terrified of Goliath.
One day David, the youngest son of Jesse (Saul’s brother), was sent to the battle lines by his father. David heard Goliath shouting his daily defiance and he saw the great fear stirred within the men of Israel. So David volunteered to fight Goliath.
Dressed in his simple tunic, carrying his shepherd’s staff, sling and a pouch full of stones, David approached Goliath. The giant cursed at him, hurling threats and insults.
As Goliath moved in for the kill, David reached into his bag and slung one of his stones at Goliath’s head. Finding a hole in the armor, the stone sank into the giant’s forehead and he fell face down on the ground. David then took Goliath’s sword, killed him and then cut off his head.
The Congress believes that Momin will be able to challenge Purno as well.
For the greenhorn Momin, the ensuing Lok Sabha poll is defining line for his political career; for Purno Sangma, it is “do or die”.
Momin is banking on the legacy of his grandfather, Williamson Sangma, who is branded as the architect of Meghalaya.
The Congress is confident that with 13 Congress MLAs from Garo hills and five other independents and member of district council, it will give a tough fight to Purno Sangma, who has returned to active national politics, after a gap of six and a half years.
Meghalaya has 60 constituencies in the legislative assembly, of which Garo hills has 24, which comprises the Tura parliamentary seat.
The prestigious seat has been a Purno stronghold and no other candidates have won since 1977. (SP News)
