Shillong, May 8: Deputy Chief Minister and National People’s Party national vice president Sniawbhalang Dhar on Friday expressed confidence in the party’s candidate for the Shillong Lok Sabha byelection, Dr. DRL Nonglait, describing him as a “fresh face” with no personal anti-incumbency.
Speaking to reporters, Dhar said the party is fully committed to ensuring victory for Dr. Nonglait in the upcoming byelection.
“Yesterday we have officially announced our candidate who will contest the upcoming Shillong Lok Sabha byelection and simply that we will work hard to make him win,” Dhar said.
“I request you to also help us to make him win,” he added.
Responding to questions on possible anti-incumbency against the ruling party, Dhar said the focus remains on campaigning and securing support from the people.
“I don’t know whether it is there or not. Let us see, because we have to work hard to make him win. That is the commitment from the party side,” he stated.
Praising Dr. Nonglait, Dhar said the candidate entered politics with genuine intentions and carries no political baggage.
“He is very genuine. He has stated the reason why he entered politics. Since he is a fresh face and new candidate, I think anti-incumbency personally to him may be zero,” Dhar said.
“If there are any lapses here and there from the party, I think we will be able to make it up,” he added.
On the possibility of political leaders joining the NPP ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections, Dhar said there have been no discussions with sitting MLAs so far, though some leaders have expressed interest in joining the party after witnessing the government’s work.
“Maybe some of the other political leaders joined us because they have seen the good works of the government,” he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister further expressed optimism that the NPP would secure a strong mandate in the 2028 Assembly elections.
“In 2028, I think we will be able to win a solid majority. Why I say that is because lots of work has been happening on the ground as I speak,” Dhar said.
“Obviously, fighting is there but we have to manage to get the numbers,” he added.
Asked about the challenge posed by opposition parties including the Voice of the People Party, Congress and UDP, Dhar said the NPP welcomes the competition and believes the people will decide based on development works carried out during the past eight years.
“VPP is there, Congress is there, UDP is there, NPP is there, and people have witnessed that lots of work is happening during the last eight years,” he said.
“The people of the state, they know where to vote, who to vote for,” Dhar added.
