By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, April 10: The ruling National People’s Party (NPP) will finalise its candidates for the upcoming Shillong Lok Sabha by-election and the Rajya Sabha election in the next couple of weeks.
Informing this on Friday, Chief Minister and NPP supremo, Conrad K. Sangma, said that the party will have a meeting soon to finalise the candidates.
Discussions on fielding candidates for both elections have reportedly begun in the party, and a decision will be made within a couple of weeks.
When asked about the decision of the BJP, a close ally of the NPP, to field its own candidate, Sangma said every political party has the democratic right to contest the elections.
He, however, said that in a coalition, they expect some discussions, but it is not necessary to agree on all aspects.
Cabinet Minister and NPP leader Wailadmiki Shylla said the upcoming MP by-election will hinge significantly on candidate selection, while asserting that voters in Meghalaya have become more aware and are likely to judge parties based on performance rather than promises.
He said that parties like the VPP have already had opportunities in governance and representation, both at the council level and in Parliament, adding that the impact claimed during campaigns has not been clearly evident.
He underlined that while political messaging may be persuasive during elections, actual delivery remains the true test, and voters are now in a position to evaluate that difference.
On the NPP’s strategy, Shylla said the party is not in talks with any other political formation and intends to contest on its own. He clarified that there has been no discussion on putting up a common candidate.
Responding to questions about whether the BJP could divide votes by entering the polls, he said the NPP remains confident, citing the party’s increased strength in the Assembly as a positive factor heading into the polls.
Without elaborating, Shylla confirmed that discussions regarding the Rajya Sabha seat are under way and that it would not be appropriate to comment while deliberations are still in progress.
