Shillong, Nov 2: The Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) heading the present Meghalaya government made a complete sweep of the bye-elections to three Assembly consistencies, the results of which were announced on Tuesday.

The National People’s Party (NPP) led coalition won all the three seats of Rajabala, Mawryngkneng and Mawphlang by comfortable margins. The ruling NPP claimed two seats – Rajabala and Mawryngkneng, while UDP, an important constituent of MDA, claimed Mawphlang.

Interestingly, UDP did not even field a candidate for Mawryngkneng as a warm gesture and commitment towards the coalition, choosing to support the NPP candidate Pyniaid Sing Syiem.

NPP, on the other hand, fielded candidates in all the three constituencies.

NPP’s Pyniaid Sing Syiem won from Mawryngkneng, Md. Abdus Saleh (NPP) won from Rajabala and UDP’s Eugeneson Lyngdoh won from Mawphlang.

The elections to the three constituencies were held on October 30, following the demise of the sitting legislators of all the three constituencies, of which two were Congress strongholds while one was held by independent legislator.

NPP demolishes Congress stronghold

Rajabala and Mawryngkneng seats were won by Congress in the 2018 Assembly elections.
Dr Azad Zaman was elected from Rajabala and David A Nongrum was elected from Mawryngkneng, both from Congress. Both the constituencies have been Congress strongholds since the delimitation by Election Commission right before the 2013 elections.

At the same time, it is a major milestone for the NPP in making inroads into the Khasi-Jaintia Hills.

While there were other players in the fray, the fight was majorly between Congress and NPP in the two constituencies, with other candidates not even put up a decent fight.

Although, they may have aided in dividing the voters, but that could have gone either way.
Speaking on the NPP win, party’s national president and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said, “If we look at the history of Rajabala since the NCP time, we have never won the seat but this time we have crossed 11,000 votes… this is infact a great response from the people who showed us their support, and, therefore, its a clear mandate for the government. Thereby, a clear indication of the development work that the MDA government was doing all these years.”

With infighting galore and lack of leadership nationally in Congress, the party suffered from fights both inside and outside its camp. Add to it the fact that people are now questioning the lack of development despite the party being in power for a very long time.

The results are also a boost for NPP as it prepares for the next Assembly elections which is odd 15 months away in 2023. This win will give it more confidence and allows it to gauge its strengths and popularity with the people. It also provides a chance to work for the people, which can easily result in another win the 2023 elections.

NPP wins Rajabala seatThe NPP won the Rajabala seat with a margin of 1927 votes with its candidate Md. Abdus Saleh baggign 11,812 votes.

Congress’ Hasina Yasmin Mondal, wife of former Rajabala legislator Dr Azad Zaman, secured the second spot with 9,885 votes.

This also marks the re-entry of Saleh into active politics, returning as a legislator after over 8 years. He had lost the 2013 Assembly election.

NPP wins Mawryngkneng seat

The National People’s Party (NPP) also comfortably won the Mawryngkneng seat. At the start of the count, it looked like it was going to be a close finish between NPP and Congress. However, as counting continued for more rounds, the difference in margin became apparent.

Eventually, Pyniaid Syiem won the polls by a margin of 1816 votes, securing 14,177 votes whereas Congress candidate Highlander Kharmalki secured 12,361 votes.

UDP wins Mawphlang seatUnited Democratic Party (UDP) candidate and former football star, Eugeneson Lyngdoh, won the Mawphlang seat by emphatically defeating his nearest rival by a margin of 4401 votes.

For Eugeneson, it was more of an emotional battle as he had the pressure of upholding his father’s legacy. Eugeneson secured 13,285 votes while his nearest rival Kennedy Khyriem of Congress secured 8,884 votes.

Eugeneson’s father, (L) Syntar Klas Sunn, was the sitting Independent MLA from the Mawphlang constituency who died due to COVID-19 on September 10, 2021. Although he did not join UDP officially, he was associated with UDP.

Eugeneson, being a greenhorn to politics, found it easier to ride the help of UDP to win his first election.

National People’s Party (NPP) candidate Lamphrang Blah secured 5,103 votes.

Final tally of votes

Rajabala Constituency

Md. Abdus Saleh (NPP) – 11,812
Hasina Yasmin Mondal (INC) – 9,885
Ashahel D Shira (UDP) – 7,228
Kingstone B Marak (BJP) – 329
Carla R Sangma (INP) – 253
NOTA – 174

Mawryngkneng constituency

Pyniaid Syiem (NPP) – 14,177
Highlander Kharmalki (INC) – 12,361
Norbert Marboh (IND) – 1,400
Esron Marweiñ (IND) – 485
None of The Above – 238
Arbiangkam Kharsohmat (IND) – 214

Mawphlang Constituency

Eugeneson Lyngdoh (UDP) – 13,285
Kennedy Khyriem (INC) – 8,884
Lamphrang Blah (NPP) – 5,103
NOTA – 202