The ruling National People’s Party (NPP) on Thursday announced the names of 58 candidates for the upcoming Meghalaya Assembly elections 2023 even as it expressed confidence to form a single majority government.
The party has decided not to field candidates in two seats - South Shillong and Mairang – which are represented by MLAs from the BJP and UDP, which are its coalition partners in the MDA government.
The full list was declared by NPP state president and lone Rajya Sabha MP WR Kharlukhi at an election meeting titled – “Stronger Together” held at Polo Ground.
Twenty-seven of 58 candidates are sitting legislators. At least eight legislators from different political parties have recently joined the NPP.
Altogether, the party is fielding six female candidates, including one MLA and two MDCs.
Addressing the meeting, NPP national president and Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma expressed confidence that his party will form a single majority government in 2023.
“I know that the people of the state are waiting, I know that the people of the state want a strong government, I know the people of the state will repose their faith in the NPP so that the NPP will be able to form a single majority, a single party government in 2023 and this will depend on you,” he said.Stating the 2023 election is very crucial, Sangma said, “This 2023 election which is happening right at the 51st year of our statehood will lay the foundation stone for the next 50 years of our state.”
He said 50 years back, Meghalaya had a full majority government and it depends on the citizens to ensure this is repeated in 2023 by voting for a political party which has proved itself in the last five years that it is able to lay the foundation stone for the next 50 years.
He assured that if given the mandate again, the party will fulfill the dreams of every youth and address issues concerning women, farmers and others and ensure “every citizen in our state whether it is Khasi, Garo, Jaintia, all the other tribes, all the other communities, all the religions who are here so that we can all live together in peace and harmony and take our state forward”.
Sangma further assured to resolve the boundary dispute issue once and for all if voted back to power.
Meanwhile, the 19 NPP MLAs in the list including Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma (South Tura), Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong (Pynursla), Cabinet Ministers - Sniawbhalang Dhar (Nartiang), James PK Sangma (Dadenggre) and Dasakhiatbha Lamare (Nongkrem) - Wailadmiki Shylla (Jowai), Comingone Ymbon (Raliang), Sosthenes Sohtun (Jirang), Pyniaid Sing Syiem (Mawryngkneng), Gigur Myrthong (Mawshynrut), Timothy D Shira (Resubelpara), Rupert M Momin (Kharkutta), Pongseng R Marak (Bajengdoba), Jim M Sangma (Rongjeng), Marcuise N Marak (Williamnagar), Abdus Saleh (Rajabala), Thomas K Sangma (North Tura), Rakkam A Sangma (Rongara-Siju), Brening A Sangma (Dalu).
The eight legislators who joined the party recently include Dr M Ampareen Lyngdoh (East Shillong), Mohendro Rapsang (West Shillong), Hamletson Dohling (Mylliem), Samlin Malngiang (Sohiong), Kimfa Sydney Marbaniang (Rambrai-Jyrngam), Marthon J Sangma (Mendipathar), Jimmy D Sangma (Tikrikilla), Jason Sawkmie Mawlong (Umsning).
The former MLAs who will be contesting from the party are Nehlang Dhar (Khliehriat), Stephanson Mukhim (Amlarem), Kennedy Cornelius Khyriem (Mawphlang), Martin M Danggo (Ranikor), Abu Taher Mondal (Phulbari), Nihim D Shira (Songsak),
Four MDCs - Macdalyne Sawkmie Mawlong (Nongpoh), Teibor Pathaw (Mawlai), Alvin K Sawkmie (Mawsynram), Grace Mary Kharpuri (Shella) are also among the candidates.
The other female candidates are Santa Mary Shylla (Saipung-Sutnga), Dr Jasmine Lyngdoh (Nongthymmai), Biolinda Lyngdoh Nonglait (Mawthadraishan).
The other candidates also include Habahun Dhar (Mowkaiaw), Shemphang Lyngdoh (Mawhati), Damanbait Lamare (Umroi), Rocky Hek (Pynthorumkhrah), Ransom Sutnga (North Shillong), Alan West (Sohra), H Stalyne Diengdoh (Mawkyrwat), Arbinstone Marak (Selsella), Subir Marak (Rangsakona), Stevie M Marak (Ampati), Sanjay A Sangma (Mahendraganj), Ian Botham K Sangma (Salmanpara), Rakesh A Sangma (Gambegre), Sengchim N Sangma (Chokpot) and Satto R Marak (Baghmara).
