SHILLONG, Feb 18: The prestigious Laitumkhrah-Malki constituency is set for a triangular contest among sitting NPP MDC Fantin J Lakadong, Congress nominee Manuel Badwar, and VPP candidate Deity H Majaw.
Other candidates in the fray include BJP’s Kynsaibor Lyngdoh and KHNAM’s Peter Shallam.
It is pertinent to note that all six candidates contesting the election hail from Malki.
Lakadong, the sitting MDC, is banking on the support of East Shillong MLA Ampareen Lyngdoh — who is also his wife — for re-election. Lyngdoh’s strong appeal among middle-class voters is expected to give him an advantage. The couple has been conducting door-to-door visits and holding public meetings across the constituency to garner support.
In the campaign, Lakadong is highlighting his development work over the past six years, emphasising his quiet but steady contributions. “Now, it is for the people to judge my performance and decide if I deserve another term,” he stated.
The NPP’s stronghold remains Laitumkhrah and parts of Malki, largely due to Lyngdoh’s solid voter base. Another key factor is the historically low voter turnout in KHADC elections, which has often favoured sitting MDCs.
Meanwhile, Congress candidate Badwar aims to replicate his strong performance from the 2023 Assembly polls, where he put up a tough fight against sitting NPP MLA Ampareen Lyngdoh. Many voters are seeking a fresh face — a factor that could work in his favour.
Badwar will also rely on the Congress vote bank in the constituency, particularly in Malki, his home turf. However, some voters have questioned the Congress’s decision to align with the NPP in the KHADC, raising concerns about how this might impact Badwar’s chances.
During his campaign, Badwar criticised the VPP for allegedly misleading voters by advocating for the implementation of Article 371 in Meghalaya.
Meanwhile, VPP candidate Deity H Majaw is expected to benefit from the party’s stronghold in the constituency’s outskirts, including Nongmensong, Diengiong, and Mawkasiang. However, despite being the daughter of veteran politician Bindo Mathew Lanong, her lack of popularity among voters may pose a challenge for her candidature.
Political observers note that East Shillong was not a stronghold for the VPP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where the NPP secured more votes than the VPP. This could be another disadvantage for Majaw.
The VPP candidate has focused on small-scale “pocket meetings” to connect with voters.
In the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, 15,496 people cast their votes in East Shillong. The VPP secured 5,141 votes, while the NPP got 6,027 and Congress received 3,303.
For the upcoming election, 20,410 voters are set to cast their ballots across 45 polling stations in Laitumkhrah-Malki, including 11,497 female and 8,912 male voters.
Following the recent delimitation, Cleve Colony, Risa Colony, and Tripura Castle — previously under the Nongthymmai constituency — have been added to Laitumkhrah-Malki. Meanwhile, Lumdorbar, Lumsohphoh, Mynsain, and Kynjatphutbol villages have been shifted from Laitumkhrah-Malki to Laban-Mawprem. Additionally, Umsawli, Lyngkien, and Mawsier villages have been moved to Mawkhar-Pynthorumkhrah.
