Shillong: The Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement is looking to its past. Working president Thomas Passah asked Paul Lyngdoh and Adelbert Nongrum to return on Monday. He wants them back for the 2028 Assembly elections. The party needs them to help the indigenous community.
Lyngdoh founded the party and served as its lone MLA after the 2008 elections. He left for the United Democratic Party in 2011 after a messy merger battle. Currently, he serves as the West Shillong MLA for the UDP. That party just lost eight of its 12 legislators to the BJP.
Nongrum took a different path. He fought the merger and later won the North Shillong seat in 2018. A leadership fight with Pyndapborthiaw Saibon forced a split. Nongrum eventually joined the Voice of the People Party for the 2023 polls. He is now suspended from the VPP.
Passah admits the party lacks the cash of its rivals. Still, he says they want to serve the Hynniewtrep people. He insists they have room for anyone ready to serve. As Passah put it, "We may have very few people coming forward to contest, but we have promised that those who have the spirit will be given an opportunity to become leaders of the community and work for a peaceful and secure future."
The party is rebuilding now. They want to set aside political math for the community. Doors remain open for those willing to commit.
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