States » EastPosted at: Oct 26 2026 8:52PM


Shillong Lok Sabha by-poll: Former NPP MP Kharlukhi declares support for Congress' candidate Vincent Pala

Shillong, Oct 26 (UNI) In a significant political development ahead of the Shillong Lok Sabha by-election, former National People’s Party (NPP) Rajya Sabha MP Dr. W.R. Kharlukhi on Monday officially declared his unwavering support for Congress candidate and Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Vincent Pala.
Kharlukhi, who resigned from the primary membership of the NPP on August 24, said that his decision to extend support to Pala, a former union minister, was mainly due to the contentious issue of the FCRA (Amendment) Bill, 2026.
“I am very much against the FCRA (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in its present form. For the first time in 79 years of independence, I feel threatened because of this bill. Section 16A of the amendment bill is highly disturbing and cannot be accepted,” he stated.
The former Rajya Sabha member praised the opposition Congress for blocking the controversial FCRA (Amendment) Bill, 2026, arguing that the stringent legislation would be law today if they hadn't opposed it during the last session.
He warned that the eventual passage of the bill would have dire consequences for India's Christian minority.
Noting that the Congress was unwavering in its resolute demand for the bill's complete withdrawal, Kharlukhi said that strengthening the Congress is the only viable path to self-protection.
“If we want to protect ourselves, we must strengthen the Congress. Having Pala in Parliament adds another potent voice to the 98 or 99 members fighting against this repressive bill,” he said.
Kharlukhi argued that a solitary MP cannot achieve much within the massive legislative framework of Parliament.
“Sending one or two MPs to Parliament is of no practical value. I raised the critical issues of the Eighth Schedule, ILP, coal mining, and the Look South Policy, yet achieved no tangible result. This is the inherent problem faced by a minor party with just a single MP in Parliament, whereas the Lok Sabha features 543 MPs,” he explained.
Defending his decision to back the Congress candidate just two months after parting ways with his former party, Kharlukhi, who held the post of president of NPP Meghalaya State unit, for 17 years, said, “I hold no bitter grievances against anyone regarding this political transition.”
The by-election to the Shillong Lok Sabha Seat is necessitated following the demise of sitting Voice of the People Party (VPP) MP Ricky Andrew Jones Syngkon.
Syngkon died on February 19, 2026, in the evening following a massive cardiac arrest while playing futsal in Shillong.
The VPP has announced Dr Batskhem Myrboh as its candidate, while the ruling NPP has declared Dr. D.R.L. Nonglait as the party’s official candidate for the upcoming Shillong Lok Sabha by-election.
The United Democratic Party, which recently suffered a severe political setback after 11 of its 12 legislators defected—eight merging with the Bharatiya Janata Party and three joining the NPP—has named senior advocate Vivan G.K. Kynta as its formidable candidate for the by-election.
Pala, a three-term incumbent who suffered a stunning defeat in the 2024 general elections by a massive margin of 3,71,910 votes, is now eyeing a major political comeback in the upcoming by-election. UNI RRK NST CDS
Tags: #Shillong Lok Sabha by-poll: Former NPP MP Kharlukhi declares support for Congress' candidate Vincent Pala
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