Shillong, Feb 15: The Mawryngkneng Block Congress Committee (MBCC) has expressed unhappiness over the decision of Congress MLA Charles Pyngrope that none from the family will contest the by-election to the Mawryngkneng seat and it has appealed Pyngrope to reconsider his decision.

It may be mentioned that the Mawryngkneng constituency fell vacant following the sudden demise of Pyngrope’s son, David Nongrum on February 2.

MBCC president Banshan Lawai told reporters on Sunday that in a meeting held on Saturday in which all the units were present to discuss the upcoming by-election and it was expected that a member of the family would contest the election.

“We are hopeful that he (Pyngrope) will reconsider his decision as the people have faith in the family to lead the Mawryngkneng constituency”, he said adding that the MBCC was delighted when the name of Pyngrope’s daughter, Belinda Abigail Nongrum emerged as a candidate for the bye-election.

The MBCC expects Pyngrope to convey his decision to the Block Congress within a day or two.

As far as the bye-election goes, Lawai said that the deciding factor would be based on love and affection showered by the people of the constituency on Pyngrope’s family while sympathy votes would probably play a certain percentage.

Sounding optimistic, he said that the Congress will regain the Mawryngkneng seat if Pynrope leads the election campaign.

Lawai said that the bye-election of Mawryngkneng is different from that of Ranikor, Selsella pointing out that people in Mawryngkneng have strong faith in the Congress party.

It may be mentioned that Charles had informed the president and working president of the Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) about the family’s decision and that the party should instead find a suitable candidate for the by-election.