Synshar elected as new Sohiong MLA, UDP increases its strength to 12

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 13, 2023

Synshar Kupar Roy Lyngdoh Thabah of the United Democratic Party (UDP) won the adjourned Sohiong Assembly election by defeating his closest rival Samlin Malngiang of the National People’s Party (NPP) by a comfortable margin of 3,422 votes.

Today’s victory has increased the strength of the UDP to 12 in the 60-member House, making it the second largest political party after the NPP with 28 MLAs.

The election in Sohiong was adjourned following the death of Synshar’s uncle and former home minister (L) HDR Lyngdoh of the UDP on February 20.

Synshar secured 16, 679 votes while Samlin with 13,257 votes.

In third place stood S Osborne Kharjana of the Indian National Congress (INC) who could only manage to secure 1,762 votes despite Sohiong used to be a Congress bastion.

NOTA took the 4th slot with 272 voters expressing their desire clearly.

Three candidates belonging to the All India Trinamool Congress, Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) and Bharatiya Janata Party forfeited their security deposits.

Stodingstar Thabah of AITC secured only 89 votes while Sandondor Ryntathiang of HSPDP with 62 votes and Seraph Eric Kharbuki of the BJP with 40 votes.

An elated UDP vice president Allantry F Dkhar said though there were indications ahead of polls as well as the adjourned polls that the NPP would go all out to win the seat and consolidate its position further, yet the party never gave up on its mission.

“We all worked hard concertedly, right from the candidate, his followers and party workers to achieve this goal. It is a victory for the party and the spirit of regionalism that prevailed in the minds of the electorate, and we are very happy about it. I thank the people of Sohiong for putting their faith and trust in us,” he said.