Meghalaya Health Minister and NPP leader Dr. M Ampareen Lyngdoh on Friday expressed confidence that coalition dynamics at the state level will influence alliances in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) elections.
Speaking to media persons, Lyngdoh stated, “Very high likelihood that the coalition partnerships in the state government will influence the coalition partnerships in the district council. It is very logical, I mean, I don’t know how else you can look at it. But the numbers look good, the pre-poll predictions look very good for our coalition partnerships. I do not anticipate much of a shift, and suddenly there is this big quiet slumber when it comes to one party (VPP), which was at one point emotionally swaying everyone. But people learn very quickly. Just a few months back, we were at loggerheads, and people today seem far more positive towards the NPP. We are very grateful to the people.”
She reaffirmed that the NPP-UDP partnership remains intact and that the electorate has a clear choice between the two parties. “The government in the state is of paramount importance. We are partners with the UDP, and we will partner again with the UDP. So, the people have a choice—vote for UDP or NPP. Parties like the Indian National Congress, who were in the government with us in the district council, the EC—they were partners in the EC for two and a half years, and this relationship has already made inroads into the politics of the state as of today. There are third and fourth forces and maybe independents. These independent candidates, the party is in touch and collaboration with. Wherever they are strong, we are partnering to the furthest extent possible. We have not compromised on the vote bank of the NPP where it was not necessary, and we have not fielded candidates where there was no point in splitting votes.”
Taking a swipe at the VPP, she remarked, “But when you come to a party like the VPP, they’ve just recently been tested, and I think the tall promises made by them are going to be the cause of their own problems. It’s not like NPP is creating a problem for anyone, but a party like that, which is very regional in nature—even in their approach, their subject matters, and their agendas—are creating problems for themselves only.”
Underscoring the importance of coalition politics, Lyngdoh asserted, “We do not isolate parties; we are a very popular government. Most of the parties are in government with us in the state. We will need the same partnership even in the district council because this too is a form of governance. We need to work together.”
She also highlighted NPP’s stronger foothold in East Khasi Hills, stating, “So, this time, after having tested the other populist parties and after having made enormous amounts of promises which have all not yielded results, the NPP in East Khasi Hills is far more comfortable. The people now are realizing and calling the bluff a bluff. So, we will do better this time.”
Reaffirming NPP’s broader political strength, she concluded, “We are a people’s party, and we are a national party, which means our presence is felt all the way to New Delhi where everything happens. If you are alone in Parliament, you cannot say anything. You cannot do anything. You cannot achieve anything. Even in the district council, if you are away from an EC coalition partnership, you again land up alone. The choices of the people and the democracy in Meghalaya are so active. The people are so perceptive; they know what they’re talking about, and we feel that this election, we’re back to local issues—the issues of the state.”