By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 3: The ruling National People’s Party (NPP) has firmly announced its intention to field a candidate in the upcoming by-election to the Shillong Parliamentary constituency, triggered by the sudden demise of sitting MP Ricky Andrew J. Syngkon on February 19, following a cardiac arrest while playing futsal.
NPP state president and Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong told reporters that the party would finalise its nominee after thorough internal consultations with members and aspirants. “We will decide on the party candidate following an internal discussion among the party members,” Tynsong said, adding that several individuals have shown strong interest in contesting on the NPP ticket.
He emphasised that the leadership would carefully evaluate the credentials of all aspirants to select the most suitable and deserving candidate.
He argued that electing an MP from the ruling party would improve coordination between the state government and Parliament, aiding progress on key pending demands such as the implementation of the ILP in Meghalaya and the inclusion of Khasi and Garo languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
The NPP’s immediate priority, however, remains the forthcoming elections to the GHADC, scheduled for April 10, Tynsong stated.
Meanwhile, the state unit of the BJP has indicated its inclination to contest the by-election independently.
Senior BJP leaders A.L. Hek and Mariahom Kharkrang stated on Tuesday that the party is actively discussing the matter and has urged the central leadership to convene a formal meeting.
While preferring to field its own candidate, the leaders clarified that they would abide by any decision from the central leadership, including supporting another party if directed. They pointed to the BJP’s growing vote share in Meghalaya and the availability of strong potential candidates for the seat.
Notably, in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP had opted not to contest the two parliamentary seats in the state and instead supported its ally NPP.
That strategy, however, backfired with NPP losing the Shillong seat comprehensively to the Voice of the People Party (VPP) and Tura to Congress.
The VPP has already moved forward by recommending its spokesperson Batskhem Myrboh as its candidate, with the proposal now awaiting final approval from the party’s State Executive Committee. Myrboh has expressed readiness to carry forward the issues championed by the late MP, including ILP implementation, Khasi language recognition, and boundary matters.
He made it clear that although he is ready to shoulder the responsibility the voters should not to be driven by emotion alone.
Describing himself as a loyal foot soldier of the party, Myrboh assured that he would do his level best to ensure that the ideology, principles, discipline and vision of the party and the state are upheld.
He admitted the election would be deeply emotional for him personally. “Even when I will go to vote I will remember Dr Syngkon,” he said, adding that it is necessary to fill the gap created by the late MP.
Expressing confidence, Myrboh pointed out that since 2023 the party has been serving the people in the best way possible. He said the late MP had set a high benchmark within the party, and that VPP MDCs remain committed to public causes.
Based on the issues taken up and services delivered, he said he is confident of victory but made it clear that the party does not take any election lightly, as every contest has its own dynamics.
The Election Commission is yet to announce the schedule for the by-election.
