Shillong/Aizawl: National People’s Party (NPP) candidate and former legislator James Pangsang Kongkal Sangma, who filed his nomination on Monday for the June 18 Rajya Sabha election, is set to be elected unopposed after no other candidate submitted papers by 3 pm on the final day of nominations.Malthus S. Sangma, secretary of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly and Returning Officer, received no additional nomination papers, clearing the way for Sangma’s uncontested entry to the Upper House.Scrutiny of nominations will be held on Tuesday (June 9), and the last date for withdrawal is June 11. “Following the completion of formalities, James will be declared elected uncontested on June 11,” an official said.The election is being held as the term of office of 24 Rajya Sabha members is due to expire in June-July 2026. Meghalaya’s current Rajya Sabha member is WR Kharlukhi of the NPP.During the nomination filing, Sangma was accompanied by his younger brother, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, the NPP’s national president, which leads the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA)-2.0 government. Representatives from alliance partners—the United Democratic Party (UDP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP)—and independent MLAs also joined him.Speaking after filing, Sangma said he intends to be “vocal in the Upper House on issues pending for a long time and matters that will emerge for the state in future”, so that the “voice of Meghalaya is heard”.Conrad Sangma said the next Rajya Sabha MP will “act as a bridge between the state and central government” and pursue the Inner Line Permit (ILP), the Meghalaya Resident Safety and Security Act (MRSSA) and other pending matters.He said James would play a “critical role” in raising issues including inclusion of Khasi and Garo languages in the 8th Schedule to the Constitution, matters related to the 6th Schedule, the FCRA amendment, and measures to check illegal immigration.In Mizoram, the main opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) on Monday announced lawyer and writer Zothansangi Hmar as its candidate for the upcoming election to the state’s lone Rajya Sabha seat, making her the first woman ever nominated from the state for Parliament.Two candidates are now in the fray, with ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) nominee K Laltluangkima having filed his nomination on Friday.The MNF announcement was made by Senior Vice-President R. Lalthangliana at the party headquarters, Mizo Hnam Run. Zothansangi filed her nomination on the final day, submitting papers to Assembly Commissioner Zothansanga Ralte, the Returning Officer. Her nomination was proposed by four legislators and backed by party leaders and MLAs present during the filing.Addressing reporters, Dr Lalthangliana described her as “a capable and accomplished young professional” and said the decision reflected the MNF’s push for greater participation of youth and women in public life.Accepting the nomination, Zothansangi said she was honoured by the party’s trust and viewed the opportunity as a responsibility to serve “not only the MNF but also Mizo women and the people of Mizoram”. A practising advocate, she said she hoped to use her legal background to uphold justice and work for ordinary citizens.She said her priorities include protection of the state’s interests, women’s empowerment, livelihoods, youth employment, skill development, industrial growth in the Northeast, and promotion of sports and music. She is Treasurer of the MNF Legal Board and legal adviser to the Mizoram Hindi Board.Political observers said the contest remains tilted toward the ruling ZPM, which holds 27 seats in the 40-member Assembly. The MNF has 10 MLAs, while the BJP and Congress have two and one seats respectively.Scrutiny of nominations will be held on Tuesday, and withdrawals are permitted until 3 pm on Thursday.
NPP candidate James Sangma files nomination for the Rajya Sabha election
