UDP wins Sohiong byelection, defeats NPP

SHILLONG: The United Democratic Party (UDP), the biggest regional party in Meghalaya, increased its strength in the state assembly with its candidate Synshar Lyngdoh Thabah winning the byelection to Sohiong in the East Khasi Hills district with a margin of 3,422 votes, beating its rival and ally in the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) 2.0 government, National People’s Party (NPP).

The results of the election, which was held on May 10, were announced on Saturday after seven rounds of counting of votes on the State Central Library premises here. The UDP is the second largest coalition partner of the MDA-2.0 government led by the NPP.

Six candidates were in the fray for the Sohiong (ST) assembly elections, which include Synshar Lyngdoh Thabah of the United Democratic Party (UDP), Samlin Malngiang of the National People’s Party (NPP), Congress candidate Osborne Kharjana, BJP candidate Eric Kharbuki, Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidate Stoding Thabah and Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) candidate Sandondor Ryntathiang.

The election to 23-Sohiong (ST) assembly seat, which is one of the 55 out of the total 60 reserved for the Scheduled Tribe in the Meghalaya legislative assembly, was adjourned just before the February 27 assembly elections due to the death of one of the candidates, HDR Lyngdoh, a former minister and leader of the UDP.


UDP’s strength goes up to 12 in 60-member assembly

Synshar, who won the election, is the nephew of HDR Lyngdoh, who passed away on February 20. While the winner Synshar garnered 16,679 votes, his nearest rival, Samlin Malngiang of the NPP got 13,257 voters.

Earlier on February 27, polling was held for 59 assembly constituencies, following which the NPP emerged victorious with 26 seats followed by UDP winning 11, leading to the formation of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) 2.0 government, which also has as its constituents the BJP, HSPDP and People’s Democratic Front (PDF) with two seats each besides two Independents.

With the latest electoral victory, the UDP has increased its strength to 12 in the 60-member Meghalaya assembly.


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