By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 30: The National People’s Party (NPP) has not yet finalised its candidate for the upcoming election to Meghalaya’s lone Rajya Sabha seat, with party leaders expected to hold high-level discussions in the coming days before announcing the official nominee.
Cabinet Minister and senior NPP leader Wailadmiki Shylla confirmed on Saturday that the party has not held any formal discussion on the matter so far, even as speculation mounts over the possible candidature of senior party leader and former minister, James P.K. Sangma.
When asked whether James has emerged as the frontrunner for the Upper House seat, Shylla said the NPP is in a comfortable numerical position and therefore under no immediate pressure to announce its candidate.
“We do not need to worry at all. Very soon our leaders will sit and discuss this. But as of now, no official name has been cited,” Shylla said.
His remarks come amid reports that several NPP legislators from Garo Hills are backing James for the Rajya Sabha berth. Reacting to this, Shylla acknowledged that individual legislators may have their own preferences but maintained that the final decision rests entirely with the party leadership.
“Everyone has their own suggestion or people whom they want to see as Rajya Sabha MP, but I think it is the decision of the party high command,” he said.
He further asserted that once the party arrives at a consensus, the chosen nominee will be the official candidate for the election.
The Rajya Sabha seat from Meghalaya will fall vacant in June, and the election is scheduled for June 18. The winning candidate will serve a six-year term in the Upper House of Parliament.
The NPP, which holds the majority in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly following the 2023 state elections, is expected to easily secure the necessary votes for its candidate with support from allied parties.
The announcement of the candidate is being closely watched, as it could signal the party’s internal power dynamics and regional equation ahead of future electoral contests.
