UDP candidate files papers for Shella bypoll

Shillong, Sept 25: United Democratic Party (UDP) candidate Balajied Kupar Synrem filed his nomination papers for the upcoming October-21 bye election to Shella constituency, and expressed confident that he would retain the seat and work to fulfill his father’s dreams which include creation of a new district.

The 31-year old Synrem filed his nomination papers before Returning officer, L Kynjing at Sohra on Wednesday.

He was accompanied by UDP president and Assembly Speaker Metbah Lyngdoh, education minister Lahkmen Rymbui, National People’s Party leader and transport minister Sniawbhalang Dhar besides other leaders and supporters.

Synrem did his LLB from Delhi University and LLM from Amity University, Uttar Pradesh.

The bye-election is necessitated following the death of Dr Donkupar Roy, who was the Assembly Speaker and longest serving legislator of Shella constituency, on July 28.

Synrem is the son of late Donkupar Roy.

“I am confident to win because I have no doubt that the people of Shella will fully support me in this upcoming election,” Synrem told reporters after filing his nominations.

He said that he was confident that the love of the people for his father will help him retain the Shella seat.

Expressing his desire to fulfill his father’s dreams, Synrem assured that if elected, he would ensure upgradation of the Sohra civil sub-division into a new district.

“I will fight till the demand for creation of a new district is achieved by working together with the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government,” he said.

According to him, the creation of a new district is needed to bring the government’s administration closer to the people considering the huge population and area the East Khasi Hills District has to cater at present.

He also assured to improve road connectivity in Shella constituency because all round development can only come with better roads.

Synrem said that the proposed construction of the Mawsmai-Shella road and upgradation of the road from Umtyngar to Bholaganj into a national highway are also some of the pending dreams of his father.

On women empowerment, he said that there is a need to come up with programmes to improve and promote livelihood activities promoting higher education in the area.

The other issues include promoting tourism in Shella and introduction of cable cars.

Synrem also got a major boost when the NPP has decided to fully back his candidature in the upcoming bye election.

“The decision of NPP shows that the MDA is united and I have every reason to believe that I will win the election to further strengthen our alliance,” he said.

The UDP candidate said that he saw no threat even if other MDA partners decide to enter the fray.

Synrem is also committed to work for the unification of all regional parties in the state.

According to affidavits filed before the Returning Officer, the gross value of his moveable assets is Rs 61,07,118 and his immovable assets is Rs 60,00,000.

The last date for filing of nominations is September 30.