By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 8: National People’s Party (NPP) state secretary, David Arnold Kharchandy, has emerged as a frontrunner for the party ticket to contest the by-election to the Shillong Parliamentary Constituency. The Election Commission is yet to announce the schedule for the bypoll to the vacant Shillong parliamentary seat.
According to party sources, the NPP leadership has already held internal discussions regarding the selection of its candidate for the bypoll. While a final decision is yet to be made, it is learnt that a majority within the party leadership is in favour of fielding a new face for the upcoming electoral contest.
Kharchandy, who currently serves as an Assistant Professor at Synod College, Shillong, will face a tough battle against Voice of the People Party (VPP) spokesperson, Batskhem Myrboh, who has already been announced as the party’s candidate for the by-election.
Interestingly, Kharchandy and Myrboh share a professional connection, having taught together at Synod College before Myrboh joined the Department of Political Science at North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU).
Party sources also indicated that besides Kharchandy, NPP spokesperson Himalaya M. Shangpliang is another contender for the party ticket.
Meanwhile, former Cabinet Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh, who unsuccessfully contested the 2024 Lok Sabha polls from the Shillong parliamentary seat, is reportedly not in the race for the party ticket this time.
Although the party leadership has yet to make an official announcement, sources said Kharchandy has emerged as the leading choice as the NPP looks to field a fresh candidate for the forthcoming by-election to the Shillong Parliamentary constituency.
