As the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) elections approach on February 21, political activity in Meghalaya has reached a fever pitch.
Parties are unveiling strategies, finalizing candidates, and ramping up preparations to make their mark in the upcoming polls.
The Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC), led by its chief Vincent H Pala, has announced its intention to release the first list of candidates on Thursday.
This list will feature nominees for 15 seats in the KHADC and 10 in the JHADC, primarily for constituencies with single ticket aspirants.
The Congress aims to contest all 29 seats in the KHADC but plans to leave four to five JHADC seats open for allied parties under strategic alliances.
To address constituencies with multiple aspirants, the party is organising discussions to encourage collaboration among candidates who do not secure tickets.
“We hope candidates can set aside differences and work together toward shared goals, even if they aren’t chosen to contest,” Pala stated.
Pala emphasised that the Congress is focusing on fresh talent for the elections.
Around 90% of the candidates will be newcomers, while a handful of sitting and former MDCs will also feature.
Winnability and merit will be the primary criteria for ticket allocation.
He acknowledged that the party’s decision to withdraw from the NPP-led Executive Council in the KHADC might impact its prospects.
However, he defended the move, stating that it was essential to avoid the imposition of administrator’s rule and to ensure the council’s input in proposed amendments to the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
For the past four to five months, Congress has been preparing for the polls through rigorous training programs for potential candidates, district and block committee leaders, and key party members.
These efforts aim to align campaign strategies and address key issues effectively.
“We’ve worked to ensure all party members are aligned on the key themes we’ll focus on during our campaigns,” Pala said.
Other political parties are also gearing up for the elections.
The National People’s Party (NPP) and United Democratic Party (UDP) have already announced candidates for most seats.
ALSO READ: Meghalaya Governor sets February 21 as poll date for KHADC, JHADC
Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) remains undecided about its participation.
In a significant development, the UDP and the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP), traditionally allied under the Regional Democratic Alliance (RDA), have chosen to contest the elections separately.
This decision reflects shifting political dynamics as parties reassess strategies for greater influence in the councils.
The KHADC and JHADC elections will serve as a crucial test for all political parties in Meghalaya.
With alliances shifting and fresh faces entering the fray, the elections promise to be a decisive moment in the state’s political landscape.
