SHILLONG, OCT 26: Former National People’s Party (NPP) state president and former Rajya Sabha MP Dr W R Kharlukhi on Monday announced his support for Congress candidate Vincent H Pala in the upcoming Shillong Lok Sabha by-election, citing the Congress party’s opposition to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026.
Kharlukhi’s announcement comes nearly two months after he resigned as NPP state president without publicly stating his reasons. During his 17-year tenure as state president, beginning in the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) era, he was credited with helping expand the party’s political strength from two MLAs to a comfortable majority.
Addressing reporters, Kharlukhi said he wanted to end speculation about his political future following his resignation.
“There has been a lot of speculation after I resigned from NPP. In today’s press conference, I would like to announce what’s next. I have decided to support Congress and its candidate Vincent H Pala in this coming by-election,” he said.
Pala represented the Shillong parliamentary constituency for 15 years before losing the seat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Explaining his decision, Kharlukhi strongly opposed the FCRA Amendment Bill in its present form, particularly Section 16-A, which he said posed a threat to minorities, including Christians.
“I am very much against the FCRA amendment in its present form. For 79 years of independence, I feel threatened. Section 16-A is very disturbing and cannot be accepted,” he said.
Kharlukhi argued that the Congress party’s opposition during the previous Parliament session had prevented the Bill from becoming law and forced it to be referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC).
He said Congress had taken a firm position demanding the complete withdrawal of the Bill and urged voters to strengthen the party’s representation in Parliament to counter the BJP.
“If we want to protect ourselves, we have to strengthen Congress in Parliament. If Pala is there, there will be 99 MPs fighting this Bill,” he said.
Kharlukhi, however, clarified that the FCRA issue was not the sole reason for leaving the NPP. He described his support for Pala as a decision based on a national issue and the need for a stronger parliamentary opposition.
Asked about his resignation from the NPP, Kharlukhi declined to elaborate, saying he did not believe in blaming a political party or its leaders after leaving.
He also rejected suggestions that he had been sidelined after completing his tenure as state president.
“No, I was never sidelined. I left on my own feelings. After 17 years as president, it is time to give to someone else,” he said.
Kharlukhi recalled his earlier association with the Hill State People’s Party (HPU, as referred to in his remarks) and the United Democratic Party (UDP), saying he had previously left political parties even when they were in power.
On whether he was considering joining the Congress, Kharlukhi remained non-committal, saying he would decide when the time came.
“Time will tell. When we reach the bridge, we will cross the bridge. I am always patient,” he said.
He also said he believed in collective leadership rather than placing himself at the centre of efforts to revive the Congress in Meghalaya.
Discussing Pala’s electoral prospects, Kharlukhi referred to his own position during the reservation policy debate, claiming that he had opposed the policy because of concerns that it could divide the state. He also expressed concern over the limited influence of having only one or two MPs in a Parliament with 543 members.
Kharlukhi said he had previously raised issues such as inclusion of the Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP), coal mining and the Look South Policy, but had seen little progress.
On allegations of corruption and dynastic politics within the NPP, he said the issues had been raised by the Voice of the People Party (VPP) in 2024.
Asked whether he intended to contest the 2028 Assembly elections, Kharlukhi said he would consider the matter when the time came.