Shillong, May 21: Deputy Chief Minister and four-time Nartiang MLA Sniawbhalang Dhar on Thursday dismissed suggestions by VPP president Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit that he may contest from Nartiang in the 2028 Assembly elections, stating that anybody is free to contest from the constituency.
Speaking to reporters, Dhar said elections are open to all political parties and candidates and there is no need for anyone to seek his permission to contest. “When the 2028 election comes, why should we invite somebody? Everybody is free to contest,” he said. Dhar added that candidates from different political parties, including the UDP, BJP, VPP and himself, are all free to enter the electoral contest in Nartiang. He further rejected the notion that he “owns” the constituency, saying, “I am not the owner of the constituency; I am the MLA of the constituency. Anybody can come and contest.”
On the prospects of the NPP-BJP alliance in the 2028 elections, Dhar said the people of the state are capable of deciding whom to support. “You see, there is no challenge in 2028. The people of the state know whom to vote and whom not to vote,” he said. Defending the alliance with the BJP, Dhar stated that despite ideological differences, the partnership has helped Meghalaya receive development support from the central government.
He also expressed confidence that the National People’s Party would retain its position in the next Assembly elections, while predicting that the BJP would maintain or slightly improve its tally. Recently, Basaiawmoit had indicated that the Voice of the People Party may field him from the Nartiang constituency in the 2028 elections.
