Shillong, Oct 27: The National People’s Party (NPP) is banking on the response to its campaign meetings to build momentum for DR Lyngdoh Nonglait in the by-election, with cabinet minister Wailadmiki Shylla saying the gatherings have been encouraging despite the ongoing harvesting season.
Shylla, who is also the government spokesperson, told reporters today that people had turned up in substantial numbers at the party’s campaign events, even when many were busy with agricultural activities.
He cited the meeting held at Umroi earlier in the day as one of the events that had left the party encouraged.
According to Shylla, the campaign has also drawn people who are associated with rival political parties. He claimed some of them had indicated that they were willing to support Nonglait.
The minister said the candidate’s manner of interacting with people, particularly his ability to connect with different age groups, had contributed to his appeal.
With campaigning underway, the NPP is also working on its manifesto for the by-election. Shylla said the document would be released after it was finalised, declining to disclose the proposals being considered.
The party’s claims of growing support are based on its assessment of the campaign meetings. No attendance figures or independent indicators of voter preference were cited by the minister.
