Khasi Authors’ Society (KAS) president Prof. D Rockyer Lyngdoh Nonglait has backed out of the race for UDP ticket to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Shillong parliamentary seat.
Speaking to media persons here today, Nonglait said that he did not approach the UDP for the ticket to contest the poll but it was vice-versa.
“I did not seek the party’s ticket but there were certain members of the UDP who wanted me to apply for the ticket. They did not offer me the ticket but they proposed my name,” Nonglait said.
Therefore, he said that it was for this reason it was made out to be that he was one of the contenders for the UDP ticket for the 2024 Lok Sabha election.
Nonglait also said that to give up his teaching profession and join active politics would be a huge decision even as he added he did not just refuse the proposal of the UDP.
He also said that when the UDP leaders approached him, he told them that he would not like to compete for the party ticket.
“I discussed with them and after thoroughly putting my points across I feel that I will not apply for the UDP ticket or any other party,” he said.
Meanwhile, he also clarified there is no tussle for the UDP ticket even as he added that if there is such a thing it will not be from his side.
“Therefore I would like to clarify that there is no such thing from my side,” Nonglait said.
He also said that although there are reports that the Mawthadraishan circle of the UDP have expressed their willingness to welcome him into the party but he said that he will not join it but would work only on policies and issues.
“I have not given my word to join the UDP especially now when I have decided not to fight elections. Therefore the question of joining any parties does not arise,” Nonglait said.
Nonglait who is also the president of the Khasi Authors’ Society (KAS) said that he was in New Delhi for a national seminar demanding the inclusion of Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution when he saw the reports that he was one of the contenders for the UDP ticket.
He informed that when he came back to Shillong he met the party leaders and after discussions with them, he felt that it will not be right for him to give up the work he has undertaken (to see the inclusion of Khasi in the Eighth Schedule).
“It is for this reason I will not apply for the UDP ticket or from any other party,” Nonglait added.
The former head of Khasi Department in NEHU said that the demand for inclusion of Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule has reached New Delhi and therefore he needs to lead the literary society till his term ends in 2025.
He said that the situation demands that he needs to stay in the KAS to work towards achieving the objective.
When asked whether it was time for him to plunge into active politics, he said that every time there is a session of Parliament, the MPs who want to speak on the inclusion of Khasi in the Eighth Schedule call him up to ask for documents, notes and others.
“Therefore, many see that there is a basis for me to go (to Parliament) to speak on the issue instead of giving just information for the last 10-15 years. However, it’s not easy to take this step because to contest an MP election is not a small task,” he added.
Nonglait also said that the job he is holding now also is many layered and he just cannot leave it halfway.
Meanwhile, the UDP is expected to name its candidates for the Shillong and Tura parliamentary seats later this month.
With Nonglait out of the race, the probable contenders for UDP ticket are former HYC president Robertjune Kharjahrin and former Mawlai MLA Process T. Sawkmie.
