Shillong, May 7: The National People’s Party on Thursday formally declared Khasi Authors’ Society president Dr. DRL Nonglait as its official candidate for the upcoming Shillong Lok Sabha by-election, with party national president and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma expressing confidence that the party would secure victory in the polls.
Addressing a gathering of more than 10,000 supporters during the announcement programme in Shillong, Sangma described Dr. Nonglait as a leader who believes in action over words and praised his contribution towards society and the Khasi community.
“I don’t think any political party can have a better candidate than Dr DRL Nonglait, a person who believes that it is deeds that matter more, a person who has walked the talk, a person who has proved himself and a person who believes in uniting our people and not dividing them,” Sangma said.
The Chief Minister said the NPP would work tirelessly to ensure victory in the by-election and urged party workers to strengthen grassroots campaigning across every village and polling station.
“We will win this election but for us to be able to do that we cannot rest, we cannot lose a single day and each and every one sitting here has to be a true worker of the party,” he stated.
Welcoming Dr. Nonglait into the party fold, Sangma highlighted his role in promoting Khasi and Garo languages and credited him and the Khasi Authors’ Society for their efforts towards securing official language status for the two languages in Meghalaya.
“Thank you Dr Nonglait because of you and the Khasi Authors’ Society and Achik Society… today Khasi and Garo are also official languages,” he said.
Sangma also noted that the turnout at the programme far exceeded expectations, saying arrangements were initially made for around 3,000 attendees but nearly 10,000 people turned up for the event.
Taking a swipe at opposition parties, the Chief Minister said the NPP believes in unity and development rather than divisive politics.
“While there are political parties who are hell bent on dividing the state and playing divisive politics… here there is a political party that believes in humanity, that believes in loving all communities, that believes in uniting our people and taking our state forward in the path of development,” he remarked.
Praising Dr. Nonglait’s leadership and public service, Sangma described him as a simple and down-to-earth individual who has dedicated years towards language and cultural causes.
He further said Dr. Nonglait’s next mission would be to push for the inclusion of Khasi and Garo languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution through Parliament.
Sangma also stressed the importance of having a Member of Parliament from the ruling side, saying it would strengthen Meghalaya’s position while working with the Central Government.
The programme was attended by Deputy Chief Ministers Prestone Tynsong and Sniawbhalang Dhar, cabinet ministers, MLAs, MDCs, party leaders and supporters.
