SHILLONG, Jan 30: UDP candidate for the Mawkhar-Pynthorumkhrah constituency, James Ban Basaiawmoit, on Thursday alleged that “money power” played a significant role in his defeat during the 2019 KHADC election and warned that it could again sabotage fair electoral process.
Speaking to reporters after filing his nomination at ISBT, Mawlai Mawiong, Basaiawmoit, a former MDC, said people had not expected him to lose the last election. “But I had to taste defeat due to money power. It’s no secret — people were caught distributing money late at night, just hours before polling day,” he recalled.
He also expressed concerns that money power could once again influence the outcome of this election.
Basaiawmoit emphasised that he strongly opposes the use of money in elections, claiming he has never won by attempting to buy votes. “I have won elections because of the faith and love of the people,” he stated, adding that using money to secure votes compromises a leader’s ability to serve with integrity.
According to him, those who are accustomed to such illegal practices will not hesitate to use money power again in this election.
However, Basaiawmoit admitted facing difficulties in conducting a door-to-door campaign since many students are currently preparing for their board examinations. “I want to assure the electorate that I will visit their homes if I am elected,” he said.
Basaiawmoit, who previously had a close political relationship with sitting MDC and former KHADC Deputy CEM, Pynshngain N Syiem, joined the People’s Democratic Front (PDF) ahead of the 2018 polls. However, their relationship soured after Basaiawmoit was defeated by Syiem in the 2019 election.
It may be noted that KHADC Deputy CEM Syiem has also filed his nomination for re-election from the same constituency on Wednesday.
‘Outsider’
Meanwhile, UDP candidate from Mylliem, Gilbert G Laloo has called his opponent and VPP candidate Aibandaplin Lyngdoh Nonglait as an “outsider”, while emphasising that voters will prefer a candidate who is a resident of the constituency.
Laloo claimed that Nonglait does not have her vote in Mylliem since she is a resident of Lawsohtun, which falls under the Laban-Mawprem constituency.
“I have nothing against the VPP candidate, but I don’t believe people will vote for just any ‘Tom, Dick, and Harry’ who contests simply because of a political party,” Laloo told reporters after filing his nomination for the upcoming KHADC polls at ISBT, Mawlai.
He emphasised that voters would prefer a candidate with deep roots in the constituency, while pointing out that Mylliem has produced many individuals who have contributed to the community in various fields.
Meanwhile, he noted that “seasonal politicians” like sitting Congress MLA Ronnie V. Lyngdoh and former Cabinet Minister Hamletson Dohling are not contesting this election. “Therefore, I consider myself a frontrunner to win from Mylliem this time since most of the other candidates are new faces,” Laloo said.
He also claimed that the majority of people in the constituency are reposing their faith in him.
It may be mentioned that VPP candidate Aibandaplin Lyngdoh Nonglait filed her nomination to contest from Mylliem on Wednesday.