If you cannot love as human beings, you cannot claim to love the indigenous community… -Dr DRL Nonglait, NPP candidate for Shillong LS bypoll
Shillong, May 7: The National People’s Party (NPP) candidate Shillong Lok Sabha bye-election Dr DRL Nonglait has pledged to work for the “welfare of the people and the state” and expressed his gratitude to the party for nominating him to contest the polls.
“Today I stand before you with deep humility and gratitude as NPP officially declares my name as the party candidate for the forthcoming Shillong MP bye-election,” Dr Nonglait, who is also the president of Khasi Authors’ Society (KAS), said while addressing a party meeting on Thursday.
In his words of gratitude to senior party leaders, he said, “I sincerely thank the party leadership, Conrad K Sangma, Prestone Tynsong, Sniawbhalang Dhar and others for their faith and repose of confidence in me.”
Terming his candidature a “great responsibility,” he said, “This candidature is not a personal matter, it is a great responsibility for the people and the state. I accept it with full commitment and with determination to work for the welfare of the people and the state and also for the aspiration of everyone.”
Dr Nonglait said his campaign would focus on key state issues.
“Some of the issues which I would work tirelessly include the demand for inclusion of Khasi in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, transformation of education from the elementary to the higher secondary level and promotion for higher and technical education in the state,” he said.
“I will also fight for upholding secularism in the country. ILP is another issue which I will take up… youth empowerment, preservation of our indigenous identity and the overall progress of Meghalaya and the nation,” he said.
Hailing the state government’s move to establish a state university, he said, “The government’s decision to establish a state university is another milestone and a humble beginning. If I can work with the government, I will ensure that the state university is on par with other central universities in the country.”
Urban development and cultural preservation are also on his agenda. “Other issues I want to address include urban development and the promotion of our rich cultural heritage by consulting with traditional institutions, the Autonomous District Councils, the state government, and central ministries that promote the identity of minorities in the country,” he said.
Explaining his entry into politics, Dr Nonglait said, “I have witnessed a decline in values among people, and politics is one of the strongest tools to shape society. Given the situation, I have decided to join the NPP and contest the bye-election with a clear purpose and commitment — to be the salt and the light.”
“Some have questioned me: ‘Why did you decide to join politics?’ I told them I joined politics to uplift people and to be the salt and the light. I will go to the people, calm their minds, remove baseless rigidity and hatred among citizens, and build with love as human beings. If you cannot love as human beings, you cannot claim to love the indigenous community,” he said.
Detailing how the NPP approached him, he recalled, “On April 30, I received a call from an unknown number. The caller said, ‘This is Conrad K. Sangma.’ I was very surprised that the Chief Minister was calling me. I just said, ‘Good afternoon, Sir.’ He then hinted at the purpose of his call. I told him, ‘I am in the hospital right now; I cannot meet you.’ He asked me to speak with Prestone Tynsong instead and said, ‘We are here, and we need you.’”
That evening, a delegation visited his home.
“Around 18 to 19 of them came, including district presidents and state-level leaders led by Hamlet Dohling and HM Shangpliang. They requested me to contest the MP by-election on an NPP ticket,” he said.
“Contesting for MP, and from the ruling NPP, is a new chapter in my life. I told them I could not give my decision immediately and requested five to six days to consider it. After consulting my family, colleagues, friends, and well-wishers, I decided yesterday to formally accept the offer, join the party, and become the NPP’s official candidate for the upcoming by-election,” he said.
Addressing speculation about his health, Dr Nonglait clarified, “I was not unwell, but I fell at home and hurt my knee. However, I am able to attend meetings. I will have no problem — I am fit and fine, and I will go out and campaign for this election.”
He also noted that his candidature had been rumored online before the offer. “I did not expect to be offered a ticket for this election, despite social media using AI to circulate images of me holding an NPP flag,” he said.
On the party’s performance, he said, “We cannot say that everything is perfect, but the NPP is trying to bring development. Every political party has its own challenges and shortcomings. No party is perfect, and no person is perfect — we are all imperfect human beings. But there is always a need to improve ourselves, our party, and our government.”
Appealing for cross-party support, he said, “I seek the support of all citizens irrespective of political affiliation. Let us move forward together with love, sincerity, unity and a shared vision for a better future.”
