Shillong, Oct 19: With the Lok Sabha elections just 6-7 months away, political activity has picked pace in Meghalaya as it braces to witness major political realignments. Several candidates are engaged in discussions with other parties, looking at changing of allegiances ahead of the crucial elections.
Sources have informed that George B. Lyngdoh, the former Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA of Umroi and the party’s vice president, is reportedly in talks to join the National People’s Party (NPP), which currently rules Meghalaya, in the coming days. Sources suggest that he may be offered the party’s ticket to contest from the coveted Shillong Parliamentary seat for Lok Sabha Polls 2024.
While the official candidate lists of both the TMC and NPP are yet to be unveiled, insiders reveal that NPP leaders are in constant touch with the former MLA. It appears increasingly likely that Lyngdoh will formally announce his resignation from the TMC soon and join the NPP fold.
At the same time, probably sensing the imminent crisis it could be facing, the TMC has also hinted at Lyngdoh being their potential contender for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Party president and MLA, Charles Pyngrope, has expressed his support for the party vice-president George B. Lyngdoh as their nominee for the Shillong Lok Sabha seat.
With Lyngdoh’s potential shift to the NPP, the party is now faced with choosing between two candidates – the recently inducted Himalaya M Shangpliang and George B Lyngdoh.
However, the field is still open and more players could join the race in coming days. NPP has become the hottest party in the region given its close ties to NDA government and Conrad K Sangma’s charisma and rising popularity, who’s become the face of the tribal communities of the North East India.
In the meantime, incumbent Tura MP Agatha Sangma is expected to seek re-election from the Tura constituency.
