Shillong, May 11: The National People’s Party’s (NPP) decision to field Khasi Authors Society (KAS) president Dr DRL Nonglait as candidate for the upcoming Shillong Lok Sabha bye-election has been “accepted by all”, NPP national vice-president and Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar said on Monday.
“After it was announced that Dr Nonglait would be the official candidate, the report we are getting, it seems he is accepted by all from all sections of the society,” Dhar said.
Thanking Dr Nonglait’s family, he added, “From my side, first I express my gratitude and special thanks to the family of Dr DRL Nonglait. He has accepted the party’s proposal.”
Dhar linked the broad acceptance to the NPP’s consultative approach.
“When we want to declare a candidate, we as leaders do not do it alone,” he said.
“That is why we call the leaders of all 36 blocks as a sign of collective witness, as a sign of working together and deciding together. I see a sign of happiness that Dr Nonglait has agreed.”
Calling Dr Nonglait’s reasons for entering politics “a very good sign,” Dhar said, “As he said, I come to politics to build the community, to remove hatred among our own people, because we understand that if we do not love fellow humans, how will we love our community? This shows he is a matured person.”
Dhar said the party views the candidature as vital for the state.
“We have to work with body and soul so that we can bring victory for our candidate. His victory is the victory of the entire state,” Dhar said.
Appealing to voters, he added, “I appeal to the citizens of the state, especially the youth, to give him a chance to be the best servant for our entire state to represent us in Parliament.”
While stating it was “too early” to draw conclusions, Dhar reiterated that initial reports point to cross-sectional support for Dr Nonglait.
‘No communication’ on Mukul joining NPP
Dhar, meanwhile, said there has been “no communication” or “signal” regarding TMC leader and Opposition leader Mukul Sangma joining the NPP.
However, he said, the party remains “very flexible” to new entrants.
“We welcome anybody who wants to join…,” he said.
Denying any ongoing discussion on the matter, he said, “There is no talk on that with the TMC leader.”
On suggestions that the speculation stemmed from the NPP and TMC working together in the GHADC, Dhar said political cooperation does not imply a merger.
“Sometimes, political parties come together for the betterment of the state always in any issues,” he said.
“It does not mean that if they work with the NPP in Garo Hills, they will merge with the NPP…”
“For the interest of the people, sometimes we as politicians and lawmakers have to work together,” Dhar added.
‘My people are cleverer…’
Dhar, the MLA from Nartiang, meanwhile dismissed VPP chief Ardent Basaiawmoit’s allegation that he had “started to be transparent with development schemes out of fear for the VPP”.
his constituents were the best judges of his work.
“Why should I say and why should I explain…,” Dhar said, responding to Basaiawmoit’s charge during a public meeting at Jowai in West Jaintia Hills recently.
“My people have elected me four times continuously and Ardent, I think, was elected twice and lost and came back again. It shows that my people are cleverer than Nongkrem constituency, that’s all.”
Defending his record, the NPP national vice-president said, “Whether I am transparent or not, my people know better…”
On development in his constituency, Dhar said, “I tried my best to bring development and that is my duty as a local MLA.”
