By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, April 30: A high-stakes political tussle is unfolding in Khasi-Jaintia Hills as major parties gear up for the upcoming by-election to the Shillong Lok Sabha constituency. The vacancy arose following the untimely demise of sitting VPP MP Ricky A.J. Syngkon on February 19, setting the stage for what promises to be a fiercely contested battle before August this year.
The Shillong seat, encompassing much of the Khasi and Jaintia Hills, has long been a barometer of regional aspirations, tribal identity, and shifting alliances in the state. With the bypoll approaching, parties are navigating a web of loyalties, coalition mathematics, and individual ambitions, turning the contest into a multi-cornered affair rather than a straightforward fight.
The VPP, which held the seat, has moved swiftly by naming Batskhem Myrboh as its candidate.
The NPP, which is the primary constituent of the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA), has initiated serious preparations with party leader and Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong confirming that the NPP will field its own candidate. NPP has also ruled out any pre-poll alliance for the bypoll, signaling its intent to assert independent strength even within the broader alliance framework.
The BJP is showing aggressive interest, with reportedly seven ticket aspirants in the fray. State BJP president Rikman G. Momin has highlighted heightened internal activity and organisational preparations as the party eyes deeper inroads into Meghalaya’s tribal landscape.
On the Congress front, former MP Vincent H. Pala is actively mulling a comeback. Recent party meetings have reportedly recommended his name to the central leadership, with a final decision expected by mid-May. While some voices within Congress favour a “fresh face,” Pala’s recent assertion that the party is without an option, resulting in his decision to contest the bypoll, makes the grand old party’s shrinking influence clear.
The UDP, another significant MDA partner, is still deliberating. Party president Metbah Lyngdoh has indicated that no final call has been taken on either contesting the bypoll or supporting a common candidate.
The bypoll will prove to be a litmus test for the ruling MDA, especially as NPP and BJP prepare to lock horns directly.
No formal dates have been announced by the Election Commission yet, but the buzz in Shillong’s political circles is intense. Parties are busy with internal consultations, candidate vetting, and early groundwork in what could emerge as one of the more fragmented contests in recent Meghalaya history.
What remains to be seen is whether VPP can hold its ground on sympathy, or whether NPP and BJP would be able to split the anti-incumbent or pro-alliance votes, and also whether Congress can stage a meaningful revival in Khasi-Jaintia Hills.
