SHILLONG, Jan 17: Three-time former MLA Pynshai Manik Syiem has decided to make a comeback in state politics by contesting as an Independent from Mylliem constituency, with his daughter Teilinia Thangkhiew, a former member of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), rendering all possible support to her father.
The father and daughter have joined hands with a hope that the people of the constituency will once again repose their faith in the family.
With Assembly elections just around the corner, both are campaigning separately in the constituency.
Syiem, who had earlier contested from Mawphlang constituency, said he has decided to once again contest from Mylliem constituency as an Independent candidate. He also argued that it would be wrong to say that he had abandoned the people of Mylliem constituency in the past 15 years.
“A large chunk of the areas, right from Mawreng to Sadew, which was part of Mylliem, had gone to Mawphlang constituency following the delimitation in 2013. It was due to the request of the people, I decided to contest from Mawphlang. I then decided to allow my daughter to contest from Mylliem since she was already an MDC at that time,” Syiem said.
Justifying his stance for going it all alone, the three-time MLA contended that not having any political affiliation will allow him to raise pressing issues in the state.
“As an Independent, I would be able to speak on any issue afflicting the people,” he said.
When asked how politics has changed in the last 15 years in Meghalaya, Syiem argued that the political scenario in the state has taken a back seat in view of the dearth of lawmakers and statesmen and the entry of “businessmen”.
“The businessmen join politics to serve their business interests. Such people will not dare to raise issues afflicting the people of the state,” he said.
He also felt that the NPP-led MDA government, in the past five years, has failed to formulate any legislation for the best interest of the state and its people. “The debate in the Assembly has also gone down since there is hardly any discussion on any bills tabled in the House. I hope people will elect more statesmen and lawmakers in the upcoming Assembly polls,” Syiem added.
Referring to the support from his daughter, the three-time MLA said that unity within the family is important if they are to garner the support of the people of the constituency.
“If I manage to win, we will work together for the good of the people of the constituency. My daughter has already had the experience of serving the people of the constituency as an MDC for two terms,” Syiem, who is also a former minister, said.
Stating that they are committed to serve the people, he, however, said the ball is now in the electorates’ court.
Echoing similar views, Thangkhiew said she loves serving the people. “I had assisted my father right from the time I was very young. I had spoken at a public meeting when I was only ten years old,” she said.
Thangkhiew hopes that if her father is re-elected, it would again give her an opportunity to serve the people of the constituency since she is no longer a KHADC MDC.
“I am confident that our decision to work together will definitely bring positive results,” Thangkhiew said.