Bringing end to all the speculation, the National People’s Party (NPP) on Friday decided to field cabinet minister Ampareen Lyngdoh as its official candidate from Shillong parliamentary seat and sitting MP and former union minister of state Agatha K Sangma from Tura parliamentary seat.
Speaking to reporters, NPP state president Prestone Tynsong said both the names have been finalised after the approval of the party’s national president Conrad K Sangma.
“There were not less than 5-6 aspirants in both the constituencies. Ultimately, the state election committee after duly examined and proper consultation has also been made not only upto the district level but also upto booth level decided to recommend these two names to the high command and the high command has already approved these two names, Dr Ampareen Lyngdoh and Agatha K Sangma,” he said.
Tynsong also expressed confidence that the NPP will win the Shillong seat and retain the Tura seat since the party has the highest vote share in both these constituencies.
“I am very sure once we work harder we will be able to become victorious in this coming elections,” he said.
He said the NPP secured the highest vote share from Shillong parliamentary constituency despite winning only few seats in the 2023 Assembly polls. The party was followed by the United Democratic Party (UDP) in second place and Congress in third place.
“Tura is not only highest I think we even crossed 50% it is about 52%,” he said.
He said, “Therefore, the party will work hard wholeheartedly specially I have already instructed all the newly appointed office bearers to go down upto the district level or polling booth level, we will reach out upto the village level.”
The state president said the NPP would also request all MDA partners and other political parties to support its official candidates in the coming Lok Sabha polls.
“Since we have already declared the names of the candidates, I would request be it UDP, be it BJP, be it KHNAM or be it everybody if they can, why not support the candidate from the NPP,” he said.