SHILLONG, Feb 10: KHADC Chief Executive Member (CEM) and NPP candidate Pyniaid Sing Syiem is expected to face a tough contest in the Nongthymmai constituency, which is set for a triangular battle between Syiem, the sitting NPP MDC from Sohryngkham, Congress candidate Alan Victor Lyngdoh, and VPP candidate Winston Tony Lyngdoh.
Other contenders include BJP’s Fairlock Denard Ryngksai, UDP’s Desmond K. Lyngdoh Mawlong, and KHNAM’s Ericton Donbok Warjri.
Syiem’s decision to leave Sohryngkham and contest from Nongthymmai raises questions about his political strategy. However, he does have a base in Nongthymmai, as he is a resident of Pohkseh. Reports indicate that the family of the late sitting MDC, Latiplang Kharkongor, has extended support to his candidacy, further strengthening his position.
The advantage
As the CEM of KHADC, Syiem enjoys an advantage as the most recognisable face among the candidates, many of whom are relatively new to voters. He has also been actively reaching out to the electorate through campaign initiatives, including distributing schemes and providing financial assistance in various parts of the constituency.
However, the NPP’s lack of popularity in Nongthymmai could pose a challenge for Syiem. Meanwhile, Congress has gained momentum, with former party workers and supporters rejoining after dissolving the TMC unit in the constituency last year. Sitting TMC MLA and state party president Charles Pyngrope is reportedly backing the Congress candidate, Alan Victor Lyngdoh.
Lack of visibility among voters
One major challenge for the VPP candidate is his lack of visibility among voters, as many residents are reportedly unaware of him. However, political observers suggest he could still spring a surprise, much like the party did in Mawlai during the 2023 Assembly polls and in the Shillong Parliamentary seat.
Notably, Lyngdoh is the cousin of the late MDC and had been closely associated with him since his first election to the KHADC in 2004. Lyngdoh has publicly stated that he would not have contested if not for the passing of the late MDC. He is also the only candidate conducting door-to-door campaigns across the constituency.
Meanwhile, the VPP candidate, Winston Tony Lyngdoh, is banking on the party’s strong performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where it secured over 11,834 votes in Nongthymmai, ahead of Congress (5,195 votes) and NPP (4,909 votes). However, political analysts believe he should have continued working in the constituency after losing the 2023 Assembly polls. In that election, he secured 4,473 votes, while Pyngrope won with 7,452 votes, and UDP’s Jemino Mawthoh garnered 6,253 votes.
A total of 35,556 voters will cast their ballots in Nongthymmai, including 19,860 female voters and 15,696 male voters. Following the recent delimitation, four localities — Nongrim Hills, Lumshngain, Lapalang, and Nongrah — have been added to the constituency, while Risa Colony, previously part of Nongthymmai, has been reassigned to the Laitumkhrah-Malki constituency.