Gabriel Wahlang new MPYC chief
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Sitting Congress MLA, Sniawbhalang Dhar on Monday suffered a jolt when a rank newcomer Gabriel Wahlang pipped him in the election to the post of president Meghalaya Pradesh Youth Congress (MPYC).
Wahlang managed to comprehensively defeat the Nongbah-Wahiajer MLA.
Out of nine contestants, Gabriel Wahlang secured 515 votes while Dhar managed only 73 votes.
Speaking to media persons after the result, Wahlang said his first priority is to build up confidence among the youth and to work for the interests of the public.
While admitting that youth in the rural areas feel neglected, Wahlang said “I will start various awareness programmes and my focus will be on the rural areas”.
The only other contestant who could reach closer to Wahlang was Jlan Kudar Roy Rymbai who secured 410 votes. Accordingly he has been appointed vice president of the MPYC.
Reacting to a query about the youth’s role in the upcoming elections, Wahlang observed that youth should be given the opportunity to contest the upcoming 2013 elections.
“We would like to see young aspirants contesting the 2013 elections,” Wahlang said.
Three other candidates in the fray could not secure even twenty votes in the elections.
Pointing out that the youth need to be confident, Wahlang stated that he would organise awareness programmes besides meeting the youth personally to understand their problems and requirements.
While the Youth Congress elections in Assam witnessed vandalism and violence, the same election in Meghalaya was peaceful.
The election to the MPYC is significant since all political parties in the state are now gearing up for the upcoming elections.
