SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC), in a meeting held today, officially approved the name of party president Vincent H. Pala as the candidate for the upcoming Lok Sabha bye-election.
The primary focus of the meeting was the strategic preparation for the bye-poll, during which party members reached a unanimous consensus that Pala should once again contest the seat.
Vincent H. Pala is a veteran politician and former Member of Parliament from the Shillong Parliamentary Constituency, having successfully secured the seat for three consecutive terms. However, in the most recent general elections, he faced a defeat against VPP’s (L) Dr. Ricky AJ Syngkon.
Expressing his gratitude, Pala stated that he was deeply encouraged by the immense trust placed in him by the District and Block presidents.
While he has accepted the unanimous resolution to enter the electoral fray, he clarified that the final approval must come from the All India Congress Committee (AICC) Central Committee in Delhi.
Nevertheless, he confirmed that the state unit would submit only his name for clearance. He further urged party workers not to rely solely on the candidate but to work tirelessly at the grassroots level to ensure a victory.
In addition to the candidate selection, the MPCC has also finalized the appointment of new District Presidents following a detailed assessment and dialogue conducted by central observers from Delhi.
These new leaders have been directed to immediately constitute their respective Block-level executive committees within the month to revitalize the party’s organizational strength.
Looking ahead, the MPCC also discussed preparations for the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHDC) elections, which are expected to take place in September.
Pala noted that the party remains robust, citing a recent influx of new members from the Nongkrem and Mawshynrut regions.
He remarked that although he had stepped back from active duties for over two years, he is now fully prepared to return to the political battlefield with the renewed support of the public.
