Amid dispute over ticket, VPP candidate claims Adelbert still with party

SHILLONG, Jan 29: Strongpillar Kharjana, Voice of the People Party (VPP) candidate from Mawkhar-Pynthorumkhrah, informed on Wednesday that North Shillong MLA Adelbert Nongrum remains with the party despite distancing himself following a ticket allotment dispute.
It may be mentioned that Nongrum was reportedly unhappy after being reportedly overlooked by the party leadership while selecting candidates for Mawkhar-Pynthorumkhrah and Jaiaw constituencies. He had contested the last MDC election from Jaiaw but was not given a ticket this time, leading to speculation about his future with the party.
While Nongrum has remained low-profile and has not confirmed whether he will campaign for VPP candidates in these constituencies, Kharjana said the party had not received any communication from him so far.
“I can only say that he is still with the party and will remain with the party,” he said, when asked if Nongrum will support and campaign for him this election.
Kharjana also revealed that he had applied for a ticket from both Mawkhar-Pynthorumkhrah and Jaiaw but accepted the party’s decision to field him from the former.
Earlier, VPP clarified that its State Executive Committee (SEC) holds the final authority over ticket allotments for the upcoming KHADC and JHADC elections.
VPP spokesperson Batskhem Myrboh had emphasised that the party’s constitution does not allow MLAs to recommend candidates, countering allegations of favoritism. “Our constitution says that the SEC will decide who to give a party ticket to. Any member of the party is expected to be disciplined and abide by the decisions of this committee,” he had said.