NPP eye on KHADC chairman

SHILLONG, Feb 18: National People’s Party (NPP) MDC from Sohryngkham and Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) chairman, Pyniaid Sing Syiem is likely to be the NPP candidate in the by-election to the Mawryngkneng seat.
Disclosing this, NPP state president WR Kharlukhi, however, said the final decision has not been taken yet by the party.
He made the statement on Thursday after attending a meeting with Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong.
Kharlukhi believed the Congress’s poll prospects appear bleak following the decision made by Charles Pyngrope’s family that none from it will contest the by-election.
“He (Charles) proved his influence in Mawryngkneng and had also ensured his son, the late David Nongrum’s victory in two elections from the seat after deciding to contest from Nongthymmai. Nobody can deny this fact,” the NPP state chief said.
Stating that the family represented the seat for the fourth consecutive term, Kharlukhi said, “It would not have been an easy election for us if someone from the family had contested.”
He made it clear that there will not be a consensus candidate of the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA).
He recalled that the People’s Democratic Front (PDF) had put a candidate for the by-election in Shella even though the NPP backed United Democratic Party (UDP) legislator, Balajied Kupar Synrem.
A constituent of the MDA, the PDF’s acting president, Banteidor Lyngdoh on Wednesday said the party does not favour fielding a common candidate in the by-election.
PDF’s Kharmalki may be Congress candidate
Highlander Kharmalki, who contested the 2018 Assembly polls on a People’s Democratic Front (PDF) ticket, could be the Congress candidate for the Mawryngkneng constituency.
Party insiders said the Congress had shortlisted three names but Kharmalki emerged as the favourite pick. He has also shown keen interest in contesting the seat on a Congress ticket and discussions have been held between him and the party leaders.
The Congress had to scout for a “suitable” candidate as the members of Charles Pyngrope’s family had made it clear that none from the family would contest the bypoll.
Kharmalki said he would take the final call on the basis of the feedback from his supporters.
“I am still with the PDF. An offer has come from the Congress but it all depends on which party my supporters want me to represent,” he said.
As the PDF candidate, Kharmalki had secured 6,573 votes to finish second behind Nongrum in the 2018 Assembly election. Nongrum had polled 10,336 votes to win the Mawryngkneng seat comprehensively.
The political parties expect the Election Commission of India to announce the election schedule for Mawryngkneng soon.
The by-election for the Mawryngkneng seat has been necessitated by the death of Congress MLA David Nongrum earlier this month.