Shillong: In Meghalaya, the race for the Shillong Lok Sabha seat has heated up as four candidates filed their nominations on Tuesday to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections.
The candidates are Dr. Ricky AJ Syngkon representing the VPP, Vincent Pala from the Congress, Prof. Lakhon Kma as an Independent candidate, and Robertjune Kharjahrin from the Regional Democratic Alliance (RDA).
Meghalaya comprises two parliamentary seats, namely the Shillong parliamentary seat and the Tura Parliamentary seat.
The candidates, along with party leaders and MLAs, presented their papers before the Returning Officer at the DC office in Shillong.
Vincent Pala, the incumbent MP for the past 15 years, expressed confidence in the Congress party’s ideology, stating that it stands for the interests of every citizen and community. He criticised other parties for engaging in communal issues.
“Winning MP Elections does not depend on MLAs and Ministers people know for national issues, national parties are more reliable. Regional parties have limitations in Delhi and national parties have wider networks for MP,” said Pala.
He said that the BJP Central leader’s decision to support the NPP has exposed that every vote to NPP is vote to BJP. “Last time they got 303 votes, but this time BJP will be down in Maharashtra, Karnataka Punjab, Himachal and Delhi. BJP is saying 370 because they want to change the constitution and the word secularism will be removed from the constitution,” said Pala.
Dr. Ricky Syngkon, the VPP candidate, addressed allegations against the party, asserting their commitment to safeguarding the interests of all communities in Meghalaya while combating illegal immigration.
Speaking to media persons after filing the nominations, Syngkon said that the party acknowledged the contribution made by non khasis who have contributed tremendously into the state while making a clarion call even for their protection.
Earlier, the party candidate denied opposing speaking of Hindi language saying this is a political agenda and they do not subscribe to it even as he condemned such statements made by some political parties.
Robertjune Kharjahrin, representing the RDA, downplayed the VPP’s influence, citing the combined vote share of UDP and HSPDP in the region. He highlighted key issues such as Inner Line Permit, language inclusion, border disputes, and development, emphasizing respect for indigenous faiths.
“I will go to the public with a reasonable manifesto and will go to the public with a message that they can determine how to elect based on the issue we will be raising, so hope the public will elect the next MP based on the issue and manifest. We have a commitment to fulfil it so we are confident that we will win this election,” said Kharjahrin.
Asked on how he would rate the sitting MP’s performance, Kharjahrin said that 15 years has gone by, and Pala has not been able to do much, so he feels that it is time to replace him.
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Independent candidate Prof. Lakhon Kma emphasised his unconventional approach to politics, aiming to set an example for the youth and ensure transparent utilisation of public funds for welfare purposes.
“If it was the case, I would have joined any party and then supported any candidate or asked for a ticket,” said Kma.
Also Read | Meghalaya: Agatha Sangma files nomination for Tura LS seat