SHILLONG : National People’s Party (NPP) national vice president Sniawbhalang Dhar on Thursday expressed confidence that the party’s Lok Sabha by-election candidate, Dr DRL Nonglait, would secure a “complete victory” in the upcoming election.
Speaking to reporters, Dhar said the NPP has witnessed a steady influx of leaders and supporters from rival political parties across Meghalaya, which he described as a positive sign for the party ahead of the bypoll.
“As things stand now, in almost all 36 constituencies, we are happy to announce as NPP that several people from different parties have joined us. This is an indication and a good sign that our candidate will secure a complete victory in the upcoming election,” Dhar said.
The Deputy Chief Minister stated that the trend of defections in favour of the NPP was visible across multiple regions, including Khasi Hills, Ri-Bhoi and Jaintia Hills.
“Because if you look at Jaintia Hills, Ri-Bhoi and Khasi Hills, people have joined the party and we welcome them wholeheartedly,” he added.
Responding to concerns over anti-incumbency against the ruling NPP government, Dhar maintained that the issue does not affect the party’s candidate in the by-election.
“Anti-incumbency is always there as government, but our candidate is fresh, so there is no anti-incumbency against him,” he said.
Dhar also said that the NPP leadership, party workers and candidate are actively campaigning across all 36 Assembly constituencies to ensure a strong electoral performance.
“The campaign for the by-election of Lok Sabha, we from the party side along with the candidate along with party workers across the 36 constituencies, we are trying very well and we are working very hard to make sure that Dr DRL Nonglait comes with a good majority,” he stated.
“As of now we are separate in all 36 constituencies, so our party workers are on the ground and they are working very hard, so that we win the by-election,” he added.
On the possibility of a common candidate among alliance partners, Dhar said discussions would take place depending on the stand taken by other parties.
“We will leave it to them. If the BJP thinks of putting up its own candidate, the UDP also thinks so, and others have also put up. But if they don’t, we will then see about that. We will discuss how to go ahead,” he said.