Shillong, June 1: Bureaucrat turned politician and former Mawsynram MLA Himalaya M Shangpliang has expressed his gratitude to the National People’s Party (NPP) leadership as his name came up as one of the key contenders of Meghalaya’s lone Rajya Sabha seat.
He, however, asserted that he’s ready to continue serving at the state level and focus on Mawsynram’s development.
“I am so honored that my name has also figured in the list for the post of Rajya Sabha MP along with two other names of James K Sangma and Hamletson Dohling,” Shangpliang told reporters on Monday.
Calling the NPP one of the most democratic parties he has come across, he credited its growth since 2018 to “the dynamic leadership of the chief minister Conrad K Sangma and assisted by two deputy chief ministers – Prestone Tynsong and Sniawbhalang Dhar.”
“We have seen that there has been lots of changes that this party and the government have brought to Meghalaya,” he said.
Shangpliang pointed to the three-member shortlist as proof of internal democracy.
“The fact that there are three contenders for the post of Rajya Sabha seat itself speaks of the level of democracy that is prevalent in this party,” he said.
“Anybody can be a candidate for such kind of a post but ultimately there is only one post, so only one person can go.”
He said the final decision rests with the national president and the state president.
“Even if I do not go to Rajya Sabha, I am available for the party at the state level,” Shangpliang said.
“We have lots to do for the people of the state. We will serve the people; we will try to help the people and bring more and more development to the people of the state.”
On his priorities, he added, “We will work hand in hand with the national president, with the state president and try to help the government in bringing more development for the rural people particularly for the people of Mawsynram constituency, where it still needs a lot a lot of development.”
“We need to do a lot of work for the people of the constituency and of the state as a whole. So, we are at the service of the party,” he said.
