SHILLONG, June 22: The United Democratic Party (UDP) has downplayed suggestions that the Voice of the People Party (VPP) can repeat its 2024 show in future elections, including the anticipated by-election to the Shillong parliamentary seat.
UDP general secretary Titosstarwell Chyne told reporters on Monday that political trends are constantly evolving and that the electoral mood among voters has begun to change since the last Lok Sabha elections two years ago.
He said the party announced its official candidate for the by-election and has begun organisational preparations, although the Election Commission is yet to announce the poll schedule.
“We do not know when the by-election will be held. There are indications that it may take place only after the completion of the Special Intensive Revision exercise, possibly around October or November,” he said.
He said that the party has directed its district and circle units to mobilise support and strengthen grassroots networks in preparation for the election.
“After announcing our candidate, we started reaching out to the people through our district and circle committees. The objective is to consolidate support and help our candidate achieve the desired result,” Chyne said.
Claiming that public sentiment is shifting, he said feedback during recent meetings and interactions with voters suggests growing acceptance of the party’s candidate.
“The response from the public is changing. As we move around and interact with people, we can clearly sense an acceptance of the UDP candidate. The political atmosphere is not the same as it was during the previous election,” he said.
The UDP leader argued that political waves are temporary and cannot be expected to continue indefinitely.
“Politics changes from time to time. We see this happening not only in Meghalaya but across the country. I do not think the same wave witnessed in the previous election will continue in the coming polls,” he added.
The UDP named senior advocate Vivanstone G Kharngapkynta as its candidate for the by-election to the Shillong Lok Sabha seat, which fell vacant after the sudden demise of its VVP representative, Ricky Andrew J Syngkon.
