The decisive nature of the Voice of the People Party (VPP) win in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has resulted in sweeping changes to the membership of the council, with only four incumbents retaining their seats out of the 29 MDCs elected.
The casualties of this impressive wave make for a who’s who of district council politics, with the outgoing Chief Executive Member Pyniaid Sing Syiem one such victim who has been shown the door by the public.
Contesting its first district council elections, the VPP’s candidates were primarily made up of those who had never before run for elected office. Despite this inexperience, the public awarded the upstart party a whopping mandate, giving it 17 seats out of the 29 contested, while in the Jaintia Hills ADC the VPP finished in a respectable second place with eight MDCs.
Pyniaid Sing Syiem of the National People’s Party (NPP) chose to leave his Sohryngkham seat and run in Nongthymmai this time but the decision backfired as he lost to Winston Tony Lyngdoh. Deputy CEM Pyngshngain N Syiem of the Congress was unseated by Strong Pillar Kharjana in the Mawkhar-Pynthorumkhrah constituency, while KHADC Chairman Lamphrang Blah of the NPP, who represented Mawphlang-Diengiei, lost to Lancaster Marbaniang, with all the victors being from the VPP.
Meanwhile, the United Democratic Party’s (UDP) MLA from Mawphlang, Mathew Beyondstar Kurbah, who also contested Mawphlang-Diengiei, lost as well.
On the other hand, three current MLAs won – Sosthenes Sohtun (NPP) from Jirang, Synshar Kupar Lyngdoh Thabah (UDP) from Sohiong and Ranikor legislator Pius Marwein (UDP) won from Langrin.
The four MDCs who retained their seats are – Grace Mary Kharpuri of the NPP (Nongshken), Alvin K Sawkmie also of the NPP (Mawsynram), Titosstarwell Chyne of the UDP (Sohra) and Pius Marwein of the UDP (Langrin).
Also, four former MDCs made their return to the KHADC – Rona Khymdeit of the NPP from Nongpoh, independent Ricky Shullai from Laban-Mawprem, Srally Rashir of the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) from Mawshynrut and Equator L Nongrang of the UDP from Mairang.
Other big name incumbents to have lost included Lambor Malngiang (Nongkrem), Fantin Lakadong (Malki-Laitumkhrah) and Teiborlang Pathaw (Mawlai). The latter lost by the biggest margin (unsurprising as Mawlai is the largest constituency), by some 12,000-plus votes to the VPP’s Eddieson Kharumnuid.
Other sitting MDCs who lost were Victor Ranee from Jirang, Balajied Rani from Nongpoh, MS Mawlong from Umsning, Rangkynsai Kharbuki from Umroi, Rynkatlang Lyndem from Langkyrdem-Laitkroh, Mitchel Wankhar from Laban-Mawprem, Batskhem Ryntathiang from Mairang Nongkhlaw, Jambor War from Pariong-Mawthadraishan and Carness Sohshang from Mawkyrwat. War lost to Powell Sohkhlet, former senior journalist at Highland Post’s sister paper Mawphor.
Meanwhile, in the JHADC, three former CEMs returned to the house – Madonbai Rymbai (Congress) from Amwi-Khliehtyrshi, Moonlight Pariat (independent) from Jowai South and Hambertus Nongtdu (NPP) from Sutnga-Nongkhlieh.
