Shillong, June 8: National People’s Party (NPP) leader James K Sangma on Monday submitted his nomination papers to contest the lone Rajya Sabha seat of Meghalaya in the upcoming election.
Sangma, also the vice-president of National People’s Party (NPP), submitted the nomination before the Returning Officer at Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Secretariat.
He was accompanied by his brother and Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, NPP leaders and different political leaders of MDA-II government.
The seat in the Upper House shall be vacant following completion of the incumbent Dr WR Kharlukhi’s term.
The Election Commission of India has announced that the biennial Rajya Sabha elections for 24 seats across 10 states will be held on June 18. Voting will take place from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with the counting of votes scheduled for 5:00 PM on the same day.
The MDA-II comprising NPP, UDP, BJP, HSPDP, and two Independents, gave consensus for candidature of the NPP leader.
Speaking to reporters after filing the nomination, the NPP national vice-president and former home minister pledged to use the floor of Rajya Sabha to project the state’s concerns in Parliament.
He said his focus, if elected, would be on issues pending for years and matters that require a collective push from the state.
“The responsibility of MP Rajya Sabha, if it were to fall on my shoulder, I will look at the issues that have been pending for a long time and also issues, which we as a state collectively look at navigating in the future. These are the issues that I intend to be vocal about in the upper house, so that the voice of Meghalaya can be heard in Rajya Sabha,” Sangma said after submitting his papers.
Calling it a collective decision of the ruling alliance, he said he was honoured to be chosen unanimously by MDA-II as its candidate.
“This decision was collectively made by the MDA. All I can say is that I am deeply honoured and privileged to be unanimously selected by MDA-II. We are here to serve the people of Meghalaya and I will be taking any responsibility given upon me. Similarly, today the MDA-II had given me the responsibility of being the candidate and I look forward to carry out the responsibility,” he stated.
Sangma expressed gratitude to the state leadership and alliance partners for backing him.
“First of all, I am very grateful to the people of Meghalaya, the chief minister Conrad K Sangma, both deputy chief ministers, all ministers, MLAs and also all alliance partners from the UDP, HSPDP, BJP and independent MLA for having supported my candidature for the Rajya Sabha,” he said.
With Monday being the last day for filing nominations, he said it was premature to predict the result but added that he felt privileged to represent the state if elected unopposed.
“We have to wait till the end of the day. Today is the last day of filing nomination. I don’t think we can jump to conclusion here. But yes, if it were to be uncontested, I feel privileged to be sent as MP Rajya Sabha by the government and I will collectively represent the entire state,” Sangma said.
He also affirmed his commitment to complete the full term in the Upper House.
“The term of MP Rajya Sabha is six years, so I do not intend to come back as I will complete the term. It will be very unfortunate for anyone to go there and then abruptly come back,” he added.
