Shillong, Mar 15: Former MLA Jemino Mawthoh is not considering a run for the Shillong Lok Sabha seat, which became vacant following the death of the incumbent MP Ricky AJ Syngkon last month.
Mawthoh held the Nongthymmai seat in the Assembly until 2018 when he lost the election. The following year he was chosen by the United Democratic Party (UDP) to run for the Shillong seat in Parliament. He secured 2.67 lakh votes (34 percent) but finished second behind Vincent Pala of the Congress Party.
Mawthoh resigned from the UDP at the end of May last year without joining any other outfit.
Speaking to HP, the former UDP general secretary said he has not considered contesting the MP by-election, or even on joining a party, focusing instead on the 2028 state Assembly polls.
He is consulting well-wishers before resetting his political journey. Approached by various parties, including national ones, Mawthoh remains undecided on the MP election, prioritising his 2028 assembly bid.
He previously worked to unite regional parties in Meghalaya but acknowledged efforts were futile. “I tried my best to bring regional parties together to form a formidable force but, realistically speaking, it was a wasted effort. We remain divided but if this changes over time we can see the best way forward,” he said.
Mawthoh also stressed the importance of Centre-State relations and emphasised that winning elections is pointless if one cannot deliver on the aspirations of the people.
