Shillong, May 13: Newly elected UDP legislator from Sohiong, Synshar Kupar Roy Lyngdoh Thabah, on Saturday said his top priorities are – Inner Line Permit (ILP), Roster System and Uniform Civil Code (UCC).

At the same time, he said his victory is a clear message that nobody can buy the people of Sohiong with money and that a new era in the constituency will start from tomorrow. “This is a clear message that do not come and buy people (of Sohiong) with money, you should buy them with love,” Synshar told reporters after winning the seat by a comfortable margin of 3,422 votes.

He defeated former Sohiong legislator Samlin Malngiang of the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) by securing 16, 679 votes.

Synshar said that the sympathy that the people have for his late uncle HDR Lyngdoh was also a major factor behind his victory. HDR Lyngdoh, who was also a former home minister, passed away on February 20, 2023.

“Therefore, as I have said, I am a continuation of my uncle’s work as he has contributed so much to the constituency. I will do whatever I can to further develop the Sohiong constituency,” he said.

Recalling his uncle’s wish to repair the damage done by the former legislator to the constituency, Synshar said, “It has been a drought (in Sohiong) in the last five years and I think from today onwards will start a new era in the constituency. Change in Sohiong constituency will start tomorrow.”

Further, the newly elected MLA said that upgradation of all education institutions will be his top most priority as he does not want to see students in the constituency drop out of schools.

“I don’t want to be just a legislator, I want to be a lawmaker who is going to speak in the Assembly,” he said while adding that he along with his party would continue to follow up issues which include implementation of the inner line permit (ILP), roster system, uniform civil code (UCC) and others.