By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The National People’s Party (NPP) has declared the names of two more candidates for Umsning and Pynthorumkhrah constituencies in its third list.
Thomas Malai will contest from Umsning and will face Congress MLA Celestine Lyngdoh. Probity Nongpluh will fight against Congress’s AL Hek in Pynthorumkhrah.
NPP state president WR Kharlukhi told reporters that people in Garo Hills have embraced the party and are weary of the Congress. He cited the instance of the MP bye-election where the Congress suffered heavy loss in 23 constituencies and which saw the victory of Conrad Sangma.
Kharlukhi said the fourth and fifth lists will be announced in the first week of January.
The lists will have names of MLAs who will join the party.
The MLAs who have declared their joining the NPP are veteran Congress leaders Prestone Tynsong and Rowell Lyngdoh. Others who are keeping mum on the matter are Sniawbhalang Dhar, Ngaitlang Dhar and Comingone Ymbon.
Power prediction
Talking about NPP’s prospects, Malai said the party’s chances to be at the helm of power by emerging as the single largest entity are high “because the Congress ship is sinking”.
Speaking about Lyngdoh, the sitting MLA said he has done his best but the atmosphere in Umsning will be different with people electing a new candidate.
“There are some roads in Ri Bhoi, particularly in Nongpoh constituency that has been started in 2013.
They were kept on hold but now they are restarting. These are the gimmicks of Congress.
See the road condition in Ri Bhoi.
It is so dilapidated. It feels more like travelling on a horse carriage rather than a vehicle,” said Malai when asked about the ongoing development works.
He pointed to the absence of portable drinking water by saying, “the rooftop is wet but the throat is dry,” as no serious initiative was taken on rainwater harvesting despite heavy rainfall.
On health and sanitation, the NPP candidate said, “The moment you enter Mawiong, you can get the smell of the Scotland of the East. Proper management is required.”When asked about NPP’s alliance with BJP, Malai said, “NPP as a party has a different ideology. In governance, though the alliance is there yet its ideology does not get diluted with that of BJP.”
Malai said he contested elections 30 years ago and joined an NGO, Bosco Reach Out, and have been with people at the grassroots level.
Women’s cause
Meanwhile, Nongpluh said women should no longer be followers but should be leaders. “We have seen many cases of harassment against women and hence there is a need for women to participate in politics.”
She recently quit the BJP and claimed that it will go nowhere in the state which then made her turn her eyes to NPP. Expressing confidence, she said that she faces no threat from Hek who has represented Pynthorumkhrah since 1998.
According to her, people are facing hardships due to the bad road condition and improper supply of water.