Amid reports that the National People’s Party (NPP) is facing pressure to award the party ticket to contest the Shillong Lok Sabha seat at next year’s general election to ex-MLA Dasakhiatbha Lamare, NPP spokesman Marcuise Marak today said that there is healthy competition to be the party candidate.
It was reported recently that the Dhar Group, a private company, wanted Lamare, who has family connections to the firm, to be given the ticket. Lamare, formerly MLA for Mawhati, was a cabinet minister up until 2023 but, after switching to Nongkrem, lost his place in the Assembly as he lost the election.
Marak said that he is only aware of a few who have shown interest to contest the Lok Sabha election, such as Himalaya Shangpliang, who recently joined the NPP and who also lost at this year’s Assembly election.
The party will soon take a call on its choice of candidate.
Asked if there are differences within the party, Marak said that NPP is a political party and a combination of different leaders, so obviously there will be differences in opinion but the decision will be unanimous.
“It’s a healthy competition and shows that everyone is keen to contest and represent our state but at the end of the day only one will be given the party ticket,” he added.
