SHILLONG, June 14: National People’s Party (NPP) leader Ampareen Lyngdoh on Sunday said the upcoming by-election to the Shillong Parliamentary seat will test whether the political momentum enjoyed by the opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP) represents a lasting trend or merely a temporary electoral wave.
Stating that voter behaviour changes from one election to another, she said the by-poll would provide a clearer picture of the strength and durability of the opposition party’s support base.
“I have observed that from one election to another, the mood and perception of the people change. Let the by-election be over, and we will see whether this political wave continues or it is only for one term,” she said.
According to Lyngdoh, while political waves may emerge from time to time, Meghalaya’s electoral dynamics are often different from those seen in the rest of the country. “There may be a wave in favour of a particular party nationally. We have seen the BJP’s influence across India. However, such waves often stop at the borders of Meghalaya because the people here have their own way of assessing candidates and issues,” she said.
The NPP leader said many voters in the past believed parliamentary representation was better served through national parties because of their presence and influence in New Delhi. According to her, regional parties and smaller political formations often face challenges in lobbying for their interests at the national level.
“Many people felt that national party candidates should represent the state in Parliament because they already have MPs and influence at the national level. A party going alone has to build alliances and lobby with others after reaching Parliament,” she observed.
Lyngdoh said the loss of Shillong MP Ricky A.J. Syngkon, her rival in the 2024 election, was unexpected. “I still remember his political journey, but elections keep changing, and every election brings a different outcome,” she said.
She maintained that political realities in the Northeast require state governments and political leaders to maintain a constructive relationship with the government at the Centre to secure support for development projects and infrastructure.
“The politics of our region have always been such that if you do not maintain a working relationship with the government at the Centre, it becomes difficult to move forward and secure support for development,” she said.
Drawing a comparison with West Bengal, Lyngdoh argued that prolonged political confrontation with the BJP-led central government adversely affected governance and implementation of key projects in the state.
“The future will reveal how people assess these issues. Ultimately, voters decide based on their own experiences and expectations,” she said.
When asked whether voters should support parties that are in power at the Centre, Lyngdoh said the decision rests entirely with the electorate.
“It will be difficult for me to comment on who the people should vote for. The people of the state have their own way of evaluating candidates,” she said.
Highlighting Meghalaya’s unique electoral landscape, Lyngdoh said voters in the state generally focus more on individual candidates than on political parties.
“As an MLA, I know a large number of residents by name. If there is a death in a family, I can often reach the house without asking for directions. That is the kind of relationship representatives have with the people here,” she said.
She pointed out that most constituencies in Meghalaya have relatively small electorates, unlike larger states such as Assam, making personal accessibility and credibility important factors in elections.
“In Meghalaya, voters tend to look at the individual candidate more than the political party. In larger states like Assam, voting patterns are often driven more by party affiliation. Here, the personal credibility and accessibility of the candidate matter greatly,” Lyngdoh added.
