Shillong, Jun 8: National People’s Party (NPP) national vice-president James PK Sangma today filed his nomination papers for Meghalaya’s lone Rajya Sabha seat, asserting that he would raise issues concerning the state and advocate for its interests in the upper house of Parliament if elected.
Sangma submitted his nomination before the Returning Officer in the presence of party leaders and supporters.
The election is slated to be held on June 18. The seat is currently held by the NPP’s Wanweiroy Kharlukhi, who did not seek reelection.
Earlier, the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance unanimously backed Sangma, a former cabinet minister, as its candidate for the lone Rajya Sabha seat. The coalition comprises the NPP, United Democratic Party (UDP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) and two independent legislators.
The NPP has a majority in the Meghalaya Assembly on its own. With the support of its allies, the election of Sangma is a mere formality.
Sangma submitted his nomination at the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Secretariat in the presence of his younger brother and Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, senior NPP leaders, ministers, legislators and MDA allies.
Speaking to reporters after filing his nomination, Sangma said he intends to use the Rajya Sabha as a platform to highlight long-pending concerns of Meghalaya and issues that require coordinated efforts from the state government and its representatives.
He also effectively ruled out a return to state-level politics, at least in the near future as Sangma said that he intends to serve the full six-year term in the upper house because leaving midway would not be appropriate given the responsibility associated with the position.
He said several matters affecting the state have remained unresolved for years and need sustained attention at the national level. According to him, these concerns would be among the issues he would seek to raise in Parliament to ensure Meghalaya’s voice is heard.
Describing his candidature as a collective decision of the MDA coalition, Sangma expressed gratitude for the confidence reposed in him by the alliance partners. He thanked the CM, the state’s two Deputy CMs, cabinet ministers, legislators and coalition partners for extending their support.
Stating that public service remains his priority, Sangma said he is prepared to shoulder any responsibility entrusted to him by the party and the alliance.
