Shillong, August 5: National People’s Party (NPP) candidate for the forthcoming Shillong Lok Sabha by-election, Dr. D.R.L. Nonglait, on Wednesday met NPP National President and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma at the State Secretariat as the party intensified preparations for the upcoming electoral battle.
The by-election was necessitated following the sudden demise of Shillong Member of Parliament Dr. Ricky Andrew J. Syngkon. Although the Election Commission of India (ECI) is yet to announce the poll schedule, political parties have already begun gearing up for the contest.
Dr. Nonglait is expected to face Dr. Batskhem Marboh of the Voice of the People Party (VPP) and Vivan K. Kharngapkynta of the United Democratic Party (UDP) in what is shaping up to be a keenly contested election.
Speaking to reporters after his meeting with the Chief Minister, Dr. Nonglait said he has been preparing for the election over the past two months and expressed confidence in securing public support.
“I have been working continuously for the last two months and I keep my faith in the people. I am quite positive, and I hope we will achieve our goal with the support of the people,” he said.
Describing every election as a challenge, the NPP nominee said the party is taking the by-election seriously while remaining optimistic about its prospects.
“Every election is a challenge, but we are confident that we will emerge stronger. We are focusing on the issues that matter to the people and will continue reaching out to every section of society,” he said.
On his selection as the party’s candidate, Dr. Nonglait said the decision was taken by the NPP Executive Committee during its meeting on Tuesday.
“The Executive Committee met yesterday and decided to nominate me as the party’s candidate. The official minutes are yet to be released, but the decision has already been taken,” he added.
With the election schedule still awaited, political activities have begun to gather momentum as parties prepare to campaign across the Shillong Parliamentary Constituency in the run-up to the by-election.
