SHILLONG : The United Democratic Party (UDP) on Thursday officially announced senior advocate Vivanstone G Kharngapkynta as its candidate for the upcoming Shillong Lok Sabha byelection after weeks of speculation over the party’s choice.
The announcement was made during the party’s general meeting by UDP president Bah Metbah Lyngdoh, who said the decision was taken after extensive internal consultations and discussions within the party.
“I feel it is right for me to announce the name of Vivanstone G Kharngapkynta as candidate of the party,” Lyngdoh said.
He added that the candidature was unanimously approved after lengthy deliberations.
“I am delighted to inform supporters of the UDP and voters of the Shillong parliamentary seat that after lengthy deliberation and discussion, we have unanimously decided to approve the name of Vivanstone G Kharngapkynta as the official candidate of the party,” he said.
Kharngapkynta, a veteran lawyer with nearly three decades of association with the District Council, will now spearhead the UDP campaign for the byelection.
Expressing confidence ahead of the polls, Bah Metbah Lyngdoh said the UDP has witnessed a massive rise in support across Khasi-Jaintia Hills. He noted that the party secured only around 44,000 votes in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, but its support base increased to nearly 1.45 lakh votes during the recent District Council elections.
“After the 2024 MP election, the result was very bitter and disheartening for us as a party,” Lyngdoh admitted.
However, he said the tide changed during the KHADC and JHADC elections where the UDP won multiple seats and finished second in several constituencies.
“That means the return of our supporters — from 44,000 votes in the 2024 MP election — has now gone up to 1.45 lakh votes across both District Councils under the Shillong parliamentary constituency,” he added.
Lyngdoh also revealed that there had been suggestions for the UDP not to contest the byelection and instead support another candidate. However, strong pressure from party workers and supporters across Khasi-Jaintia Hills pushed the leadership to field its own candidate.
“For two months now I have been getting calls from constituencies across Khasi-Jaintia Hills saying we must put up our own candidate,” he said.
Questioning the idea of staying away from the contest, Lyngdoh said, “As president of the party, whom will I vote for if we cannot put up an official UDP candidate?”
Speaking on Kharngapkynta’s candidature, Lyngdoh described the move as a “mutual understanding” between the candidate and the party.
“We are extremely happy because this is not just the wish of Bah Vivan or the UDP alone — it is mutual,” he said.
Lyngdoh further described Kharngapkynta as one of the senior lawyers associated with the party who had served as special counsel to the District Council for around 30 years.
“In politics, this is the first time he will enter and contest an election,” Lyngdoh said.
Outlining the party’s priorities, the UDP president said protection of indigenous people would remain its primary agenda.
“What we will look at is indigenous people first. This will be our first agenda,” he said.
He added that the party would also focus on good governance, fair administration and sustainable development for the overall progress of Meghalaya.
Lyngdoh expressed confidence that voters would recognise the difference in the UDP candidate during the upcoming election.
“As a legal advocate, he will go to Delhi not just to speak on one subject, but on issues concerning our culture, traditions and many other matters because he has vast legal experience,” he added.