By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 28: The United Democratic Party (UDP) on Thursday named senior lawyer Vivan G.K. Kynta as its candidate for the by-election to the Shillong parliamentary seat, setting the stage for a multi-cornered contest.
UDP president Metbah Lyngdoh announced Kynta’s name during a function held at the party office. Party MLAs, MDCs, workers and the members of Kynta’s family were also present.
Outlining the party’s campaign agenda, Lyngdoh said the UDP would focus on three key issues — indigenous first, good governance and state’s overall development.
He said the UDP was confident that it would perform much better than it did in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, citing its improved performance in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) polls.
Lyngdoh said the party reviewed its performance in the last Lok Sabha elections and found that the political landscape had shifted considerably since then.
According to him, the district council elections reflected renewed public confidence in the UDP, with the party securing five seats in the KHADC and three in the JHADC.
He said the results indicated that voters were increasingly recognising the UDP as the regional political force best positioned to safeguard the interests of people.
“The recent electoral gains are a clear reflection of people’s growing trust and confidence in the UDP and this gives us the momentum to approach the by-election with confidence,” Lyngdoh said.
Highlighting the candidate’s credentials, he said Kynta’s nearly three decades of service as KHADC standing counsel made him a strong and experienced choice for the contest.
Kynta, meanwhile, expressed gratitude to the party leadership for reposing faith in him. He said he would work to raise key issues concerning Meghalaya, if elected.
With the UDP now entering the fray, the by-election is expected to witness a four-cornered contest among Voice of the People Party candidate Batskhem Myrboh, National People’s Party nominee DRL Nonglait, Congress candidate Vincent H Pala and Kynta.
Absence of key UDP faces triggers buzz
The formal announcement of Kynta’s candidature drew hundreds of party leaders and supporters, but the conspicuous absence of several senior UDP legislators and ministers sparked fresh political speculation within party ranks.
Among those missing were West Shillong MLA and former Cabinet Minister Paul Lyngdoh, Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui and Khliehriat MLA Kyrmen Shylla.
Lyngdoh’s absence particularly drew attention amid continuing political chatter over his reported dissatisfaction with the UDP leadership after being asked to relinquish his Cabinet berth midway through the government’s rotational power-sharing arrangement.
The absence of Shylla, who also lost his Cabinet position under the same arrangement, further fuelled speculation about unease within sections of the party leadership.
Rymbui, meanwhile, was reportedly abroad and could not attend the programme.
Asked about the absence of key leaders, the UDP president said some were out of station on official or personal work, while one MLA had an important programme in his constituency.
Interestingly, Mawkyrwat MLA Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar attended the programme despite ongoing political speculation surrounding his future in the party.
Reports surfaced in recent months that several of his supporters and followers shifted allegiance to the NPP. He declined to comment on speculation that he may join the party ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections.
