Shillong: The National People’s Party is staying mum on the fallout from W.R. Kharlukhi’s move to back Congress candidate Vincent H. Pala. Health Minister and MDA-II spokesperson Wailadmiki Shylla said on Tuesday that officials cannot yet measure the electoral impact of the shift. Kharlukhi remains a veteran figure with deep ties to the party since the era of founder P.A. Sangma. The move caught leadership off guard.
Shylla argued that local voters often pick people over party banners. This makes predicting outcomes a tall order. "Kharlukhi had indicated that his support was directed at Pala as an individual rather than the Congress as a party," Shylla said. He noted this distinction carries weight in Meghalaya. Voters frequently split their tickets between different levels of government.
Shylla also addressed the ongoing dispute over the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act. He confirmed that a team led by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma continues to push the Union government for changes. The state secured a seat for its new Rajya Sabha member in the FCRA process. Shylla dismissed any direct link between this federal friction and Kharlukhi’s recent political stance.
The party claims momentum for by-election candidate D.R.L. Nonglait is rising. Despite the ongoing harvest season, campaign events are drawing crowds. A gathering at Umroi on Tuesday brought in people from outside the party's usual base. Shylla credited Nonglait’s calm demeanor for the turnout. The NPP is still drafting its manifesto and will drop the final version soon.
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