Shillong : The National People’s Party (NPP) is receiving a “very good” response from voters across the Khasi-Jaintia Hills region ahead of the upcoming Shillong Lok Sabha by-election, Deputy Chief Minister and NPP National Vice President Sniawbhalang Dhar said on Monday.
Campaigning for the party’s candidate Dr DRL Nonglait, Dhar expressed confidence that the growing public support would translate into victory for the NPP.
“As the days pass by, the response of the people across Khasi-Jaintia is very good. The way people met us, the way they are joining the NPP, the way they are attending meetings, and the way our candidate is approaching the people—it all looks positive,” Dhar told reporters.
He said the campaign has generated encouraging feedback from different parts of the constituency.
“It seems it will be a good by-election. As of today, the report is very good and we hope to win the election,” he added.
When asked about the basis of his confidence, Dhar said the party’s primary objective is to secure victory, regardless of the winning margin.
“I always believe that we will win the by-election. I am not talking about the margin. Even one vote is enough. I just want to win,” he said.
Explaining why voters should support the NPP, Dhar said people are recognising the developmental work carried out by the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government during the last eight years.
“The simple reason is that people are realizing that the government has done a lot of developmental work. A lot of work has been done in the last eight years. That is one of the reasons,” he said.
According to Dhar, the positive response from voters indicates growing confidence in the NPP’s governance and development agenda across Meghalaya.
The Shillong Lok Sabha seat became vacant following the demise of sitting MP Dr Ricky AJ Syngkon. The Election Commission of India is yet to announce the schedule for the by-election.