The Congress Party is happy to welcome as many challengers who want to run for the Shillong seat in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, as the more there are the easier it will be for sitting MP Vincent Pala to be reelected.
This was stated by Pynshngain Syiem, one of the Congress’s MDCs and a senior figure in the state unit, to Highland Post.
“The more candidates, the better the chances for the sitting MP to win again,” he said.
Pala, who is likely but has not yet been confirmed as the party’s choice, has held the Shillong seat since 2009 but the Congress’s grip on it has lasted even longer, having belonged to the party almost exclusively since 1989.
Three parties have already announced their candidates for the seat – the ever unsuccessful United Democratic Party (UDP), new Voice of the People Party (VPP) and National People’s Party (NPP), the latter which has never challenged for this constituency before. A couple of independents have also thrown their hat into the ring and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is expected to do so as well.
Syiem said that the Congress’s campaign committee will soon sit to chalk out the next stage in its preparations. He added that the people of Khasi-Jaintia Hills hold the Congress in high regard as it has contributed massively towards the state and country over the decades and has always protected minority rights.