Shillong: National People’s Party (NPP) on Thursday formally handed over its ticket to academician and president of the Khasi Authors’ Society, D Rockyer Lyngdoh Nonglait, to contest the by-election to the Shillong Lok Sabha seat to be held this year.By-election to the seat, the schedule for which is yet to be announced by the Election Commission, has been necessitated following the sudden demise of sitting MP Ricky AJ Syngkon of Voice of the People Party on Feb 19.CM Conrad K Sangma, who is also president of NPP that leads the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance Government 2.0, handed over the party ticket to Nonglait during the general executive council meeting of NPP here.“A passionate advocate of the Khasi language and a strong voice for the preservation of our rich heritage and culture, Nonglait embodies the aspirations of our people. Confident that he will represent the interests of the state with dedication and be a strong voice for Meghalaya in Parliament,” Conrad expressed optimism.Top NPP leaders, including deputy CMs Prestone Tynsong and Sniawbhalang Dhar, were present on the occasion.Nonglait, who is a professor in the department of Khasi and director of the College Development Council at North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong, has also been vocal in the demand for inclusion of Khasi language in 8th Schedule to the Constitution.Stating that he would continue to work for “transformation of education from the elementary to the higher secondary level” and promotion for higher and technical education in the state, the eminent educationist said his overall efforts would be directed towards the “welfare of the people and the state”.After receiving the NPP ticket, Nonglait expressed gratitude to the party leadership and pledged, “I will fight for upholding secularism in the country. ILP is another issue which I will take up, besides youth empowerment, preservation of our indigenous identity and the overall progress of Meghalaya and the nation”.
