NPP keen to wrest Shillong LS seat from Cong

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Nov 1: Former NPP state president and lone Rajya Sabha MP Dr WR Kharlukhi on Tuesday said that the party will fight and snatch away the Shillong seat from the Congress in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, slated to be held next year.

He said that the opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP), which has decided to join the fray, will face a test in 2024 in the MP elections as well as the Autonomous District Council (ADC) elections.

“We will fight and snatch (the Shillong seat from Congress),” Dr Kharlukhi told reporters.

Stating that the party is prepared for every election, he said, “We take every election seriously, we take our opponents seriously, all our opponents are equal, we rate them high and based on that we are preparing ourselves.”

Whether VPP will have any impact on the upcoming election, Dr Kharlukhi however said, “I never downgraded any political party. Once it is a political party, it has 4 MLAs, so we cannot downgrade it. So we are preparing for that also and we will see when the election comes and what will be the outcome.”

Further, the former NPP state president said that VPP is yet to be tested as a newly floated political party.

“Like what I have said, only when the results come if you remember you keep on asking me when TMC so I say they will be tested, only when they will be tested will we know. VPP got 4 MLAs and the areas where they got the MLAs and where they influenced you know, they are yet to be tested and we will see when 2024 comes in the MDC and MP elections then we will know how much their progress is,” he said.

On Shillong MP Vincent Pala’s allegation that NPP is importing candidates from other political parties, Dr Kharlukhi said, “That is the beauty of it, not only importing but exporting also is there in politics. Sometimes MLAs will move to this side, sometimes that side.

In politics, we don’t close our doors nor can we shut our doors. So importing and exporting is both ways.”

Referring to Pala’s statement that NPP is only giving lip service on the demand for inclusion of the Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, the Rajya Sabha MP said that the only thing he knows is that no government has passed a resolution in the Assembly and NPP under CM’s leadership passed a resolution in the Assembly.

“I raised this issue and not only me but even Agatha and Pala also raised the issue in parliament. This is how far we could go,” he said.

Kharlukhi also said that Pala is the most popular person in parliament.

“Frankly speaking in parliament, especially in the central hall he (Pala) is the most popular and well-known person. Everybody knows him. Every MP in India knows him,” he said.

NPP not an importer, exporter of political leaders: Tynsong

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Oct 26: National People’s Party leader and deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong today said the NPP is neither an importer nor an exporter of political leaders.

Speaking to reporters, Tynsong said, “We are not an importer and we are not an exporter also, we are the NPP, the National People’s Party and we work here and serve the interest of the people and the state of Meghalaya and not only Meghalaya even in entire North East region.”

Opposition Congress chief and Shillong MP Vincent H Pala had recently affronted the NPP for having to “import” candidates from the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, slated to be held next year.

Pala had also alleged that the NPP is also approaching former Umroi legislator George B Lyngdoh from the TMC.

Tynsong said that he has no idea about Lyngdoh likely to join his party fold.

“I don’t know, I have no idea about it. So you can ask that from Pala…,” he added.

Ampareen appeals to women legislators to rise above politics

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 6: NPP legislator from East Shillong Ampareen Lyngdoh has urged women legislators not to allow party politics to divide their common interest.

“We should not allow party politics to divide our common interest and goal to uplift and uphold women in general in the state of Meghalaya,” Lyngdoh told reporters after taking her oath of office and secrecy today.

Terming the low representation of women in the Assembly as ‘very sad’, the East Shillong legislator said, “Three has been more or less a number that has been there for quite some time. We had four then now it is three again.”

She said she is looking forward to working with the two other women legislators in the Assembly on issues related to women in the state.

Lyngdoh further expressed concern over the safety and security of women and children in the state.

“Safety has become a big concern in the state of Meghalaya. We must ensure every woman feels safe as they walk the streets,” she said.

Lyngdoh said, “It depends on the assignment that I will receive. I am yet to be privy to the assignment that has been tasked for me. So we will see how that happens and we will take it from there.”

Expressing similar concern, Sutnga-Saipung legislator Santa Mary Shylla however said that women are slowly coming forward to participate in politics.

“We are hoping that in the next five years, we will see more women in the assembly,” she said while stating that her major role will be to encourage women folks.

She also assured that improving the road connectivity in her constituency would be in her top priority list.

“NPP is a party with integrity”- East Shillong legislator Ampareen Lyngdoh

Staff Reporter

Shillong | March 2, 2023

NPP leader and East Shillong legislator Ampareen Lyngdoh has said the NPP is a party with integrity.

 After being re-elected, Lyngdoh said, “I owe this to the people of East Shillong and I will assure everyone that I will work very hard and I will try my best to make sure that I do justice to this win.”

 With the NPP emerging as the single largest party, Lyngdoh said, “I am happy that I could also contribute one more seat to the NPP this election.”

 She asserted, “We now have to work very hard to turn around the perception of the otherwise NPP that has been working hard. So we will have to make sure that we perform so that the people of the state of Meghalaya will know that the NPP is a very viable option in politics in the 21st century.”

 The East Shillong legislator said as per readings, Conrad K Sangma has done so well in Garo Hills and it will be but correct that he should be one of the contenders for the chief minister’s seat.

 “But politics is full of surprises one cannot predict even though I am a member of the legislative assembly recently now just elected but anything and everything is possible in politics,” he said.

 On-demand for a chief minister from Khasi and Jaintia Hills region, Lyngdoh said, “Who doesn’t have that ambition on behalf of the people of the state of Meghalaya but you need the numbers to make sure that your man is put in that chair. With the fragmented mandate of the Khasi-Jaintia Hills region, that (CM from the Khasi region) is likely a very farfetched dream because we have just shown our divisions no one party in the Khasi Hills region would be able to stake claim to that chief ministerial seat.”

 On the allegations of corruption made by political opponents against the NPP, Lyngdoh said, “I want to tell the people that the NPP is a party with integrity. NPP has credibility. The confusion that was created by our opponents trying to score brownies for themselves so the results have clearly indicated that a large section of the people of the state of Meghalaya have reposed their faith in a larger number to the NPP in the state of Meghalaya. Now we just have to reverse this created image and we have to work hard to ensure that we deliver to the best possible extent good governance, fair governance and clean governance to the people of the state of Meghalaya.”

LIVE UPDATES: Meghalaya Assembly Election Results 2023

Shillong | March 2, 2023

The assembly elections in Meghalaya for 59 seats took place on February 28, 2023, while polling in one constituency was adjourned due to the death of a candidate. The counting of votes has commenced on March 2 from 8 am onwards. The Chief Electoral Officer of Meghalaya, F R Kharkongor had earlier stated that over 85% of the state’s 21.6 lakh voters exercised their franchise during this year’s elections.

The Congress and BJP contested in 59 seats, while the NPP put up nominees in 56 constituencies, the TMC in 57, and the United Democratic Party (UDP) in 46.The high turnout during the elections reflects the people’s interest and enthusiasm in the democratic process. The CEO’s office had previously reported that over 75% of the voting took place till 5 PM, with voting continuing for several more hours after it was supposed to conclude at 4 pm. Counting for the 59 constituencies will be held at 13 centers across the state.

Follow LIVE UPDATES here

04:13 pm:

The overall vote count as follows

NPP leads with 25 seats followed by UDP with 11 seats, INC and AITC with 5 seats, VPP with 4, BJP 3 and HSPDP, PDF and Independent with 2 each.

02:49 pm:

Lahkmen Rymbui retains Amlarem by a margin of 57 votes.

02.32 pm:

People accord warm welcome to NPP Chief Conrad K Sangma after NPP’s victorious innings in 25 seats.

 

02.28 pm:

BJP’s Sanbor Shullai reacts after winning South Shillong for the 4th term.

NPP Chief Conrad K Sangma’s 1st reaction after poll results.

2.00 pm:

Mukul Sangma loses Tikrikilla

01.39 pm:

Results for 59/59 seats known for Meghalaya. NPP leads in 26 seats followed by UDP and VPP among others.

01.13 pm:

NPP’s Conrad K Sangma continues to lead in South Tura Constituency with 49% votes as per latest ECI updates.

12.59 pm:

BJP’s AL Hek and Sanbor Shullai retain Pynthorumkhrah and South Shillong Constituencies.

NPP’s Snaiwbhalang Dhar wins Nartiang constituency.

NPP continues to maintain overall lead in Meghalaya.

12.50 pm:

NPP’s Marthon J Sangma wins Mendipathar constituency.

NPP’s James Sangma loses to Rupa M Marak of AITC by a very close margin.

12.13 pm:

NPP’s Dr. Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh emerge victorious

11.55 am:

Conrad Sangma’s NPP seen to be emerging as single largest party in Meghalaya as per Election Result Trends.

11:27 am:

BJP candidate AL Hek leading in Pynthorumkhrah Constituency followed by INC candidate PN Syiem, VPP, NPP and other.

11.15 am:

VPP candidate from Mawlai, Brightstarwell Marbaniang exudes confidence after Round 2 election verdict.

11.04 am:

JUST IN– NPP leads in 20 seats, followed by UDP in 7, INC in 6, BJP in 6, AITC in 5 and VPP in 4.

10.50 am:

Voice of the People Party (VPP) supporters rejoice as the party leads in various constituencies for Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Elections. VPP is currently seen to be leading in Mawlai, Nongkrem, Mylliem and Mawphlang.

10.33 am:

NPP’s Conrad Sangma, the current Chief Minister of Meghalaya and BJP’s Bernard N Marak neck to neck with 2672 and 2628 respectively.

 

10.28 am:

Round 1 poll results: (major constituencies)

South Tura: NPP’s Conrad Sangma and BJP’s Bernard N Marak neck to neck with 2672 and 2628 respectively
Amlarem: Lahkmen Rymbui (UDP)
Dadenggre: Rupa M Marak (AITC) surpasses James Sangma (NPP)
Jowai: Wailadmiki Shylla (NPP)
Khliehriat: Kyrmen Shylla (UDP)
Mawhati: Shemphang Lyngdoh (NPP)
Mawlai: Brightstarwell Marbaniang (VPP)
Nongthymmai: Charles Pyngrope (AITC)
Ranikor: Pius Marwein (UDP)
Resubelpara: Timothy D Shira (NPP)

more updates incoming…

10.10 am:

Latest trends as per ECI website

09.30 am:

Just In– Latest trends:
VPP leading in Mawphlang
INC leading in Mairang,
HSPDP leading in Mawthadraishan
AITC leading in Kharkutta, Rongara Siju
NPP leading in Resubelpara and Bajengdoba
GNC leading in Chokpot

more updates incoming…

09.00 am– Just in: scenes from the counting locations in Meghalaya outside the strong rooms.

08.20 am– Counting of votes began at 13 centres across Meghalaya today. The district magistrate of Eastern West Khasi Hills district has imposed Section 144  on Thursday. At 8 AM, under heavy security, the counting of votes for 59 of the 60 members of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly began across various districts.

As per reports, Conrad Sangma, the current chief minister of Meghalaya and the leader of the NPP, visited Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, the chief minister of Assam, on Tuesday night in Guwahati ahead of the couting day. NPP sources informed that bot the Chief Ministers participated in a key meeting that lasted 30 minutes in a hotel in Guwahati.

08:10 am– All eyes on counting of votes. 24 CAPF companies have been retained for ensuring 24*7 safe counting of votes at the strongrooms, containing polled EVMs of 3419 polling stations across the State of Meghalaya, as informed by Meghalaya CEO F.R Kharkongor. The CAPF personnel will be stationed till March 4, 2023, for keeping a check on post poll occurrences. Post counting, 5 polling stations will be selected at random and manual counting of 5 randomly selected EVMs will take place as per ECI rules. On the other hand, massive traffic arrangements have also been made for the day across various districts of Meghalaya.