Shillong, May 8: NPP state president and Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong on Thursday said the upcoming Shillong Lok Sabha byelection would be “a different one,” calling on party workers to explain to voters that electing Dr DRL Nonglait would strengthen Meghalaya’s fight for inclusion of Khasi and Garo in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.

Tynsong was speaking at a party meeting that formally announced KAS president Dr DRL Nonglait as the NPP’s official candidate for the Shillong byelection.

“The election will be a different one. If we go back to the history of 2024, I never expect. We are also concerned that the indigenous community has voted for (L) Dr Ricky AJ Syngkon to represent the Shillong constituency in Lok Sabha but God has taken him away. It is an incident which is God’s plan,” Tynsong said.

Referring to the late MP’s demise, he added: “This incident is shaped by the Creator Himself. If we humans think about it, we will not find any calculation anymore, but I say let us return as the people of Hynniewtrep who know man and know God… We firmly believe it happens to further strengthen the way of knowing man and knowing God, of our community here in the state of Meghalaya.”

He urged party workers to reach every home. “Let us take collective responsibility from this time onward to go to our respective villages and we will go to each and every household to explain, lest there be any misunderstanding, so that they choose this candidate of the party,” he said.

Tynsong said key issues remain unresolved. “There are still many issues pending,” he said. “Dr DRL Nonglait, president of the Khasi Authors’ Society — we have only completed the first part and the second part is still pending because it has not yet entered the Constitution of India, and that is the Khasi language and Garo language.”

“If we are able, or if the people elect him, I firmly believe this will be the opening for the aspiration of the Garo and Khasi people that these languages be included in the Constitution of India. I think it will be a golden opportunity to seriously explain to the public so that they ensure a respectable victory,” he said.

Tynsong cautioned against divisive politics. “It is not for the name of the NPP, because everyone envies the NPP… What we fear is that divisive politics may enter. I fear for this small state — with so much division, what will happen?”

He told NPP leaders and workers: “Let us work hard. We do not need to attack anyone. We will go and explain, because if we win, it is not an NPP victory but a victory for the entire state of Meghalaya. It will ease things for Conrad Sangma when there are issues that affect religion, custom, and belief.”

He recalled challenges since 2018. “Since 2018 after we took charge of leading the government, there have been many issues — I cannot forget — many missionaries who wanted to come to Meghalaya for a centenary or for their missions sometimes did not get visas to come. Helpless religious leaders of various faiths would run to the door of the Chief Minister who is also the National President, and he had to knock on doors there in Delhi… If we can ensure Dr Nonglait’s victory, it will ease the government and the party’s work to knock on doors in Delhi and in various departments, because as a state we need that from time to time,” he said.

Tynsong highlighted Dr Nonglait’s contributions.

“After we took over the government in 2018, we formed a committee to study and give recommendations on the education policy. Dr Nonglait was part of that. We also have a core committee… headed by RG Lyngdoh — meaning we do not need to ask further,” he said.  “We never thought Dr Nonglait would carry with us as a party this heavy responsibility for the welfare. A man who is steadfast and dedicated… the shape education has taken now is partly due to the wisdom of this gentleman, for which we as the government and party feel indebted,” Tynsong added.

Independent MLA from Rambrai attended the NPP meeting not to join the party but to support the candidature of Dr DRL Nonglait, party leader said.

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