Shillong MP Vincent H Pala, a member of the Congress Party, is feeling bullish about his chances of retaining the seat at the upcoming Lok Sabha election even though his party won just a handful of seats in the state Assembly election last year.
According to the MP, the electorate for autonomous district council, Assembly and Lok Sabha elections vote differently. He highlighted the rich legacy of leaders who have shaped the political consciousness of the region, enabling constituents to make informed voting decisions.
Pala considers Shillong fortunate to have a constituency that stands out in India, attributing this to the leadership of his predecessors, including PR Kyndiah.
Despite challenges, Pala expressed confidence in the enduring support for Congress in Meghalaya. He recognised that while some well-known faces may have left the party in recent years, the majority of the people understand the reasons behind these defections.
The MP stressed the importance of distinguishing between Assembly and Parliamentary elections, noting that the latter involves crucial policy framing and implementation by the central government.
Pala has been an MP since 2009, taking over the constituency from Kyndiah – both as Congressmen.
Congress is the party equipped to handle these responsibilities, citing its experience and commitment to the welfare of the people, Pala opined. As the political landscape evolves, he anticipates a positive outcome for Congress in the upcoming elections.
One issue where he thinks the current government at the state level has failed is the power scenario. “Imagine in Shillong there were 10 hours of power cuts,” he said, referring to the loadshedding that enveloped the state last year.
Pala also said that trade between India and Bangladesh through Meghalaya is important and can generate employment and also increase the per capita income of Meghalaya.
