SHILLONG: National People’s Party (NPP) leader and Cabinet Minister Marcuise N Marak has announced that the party’s foremost criterion for sponsoring candidates in the upcoming Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections will be winnability.
GHADC Election Preparations
Marak confirmed that the party has already invited applications from intending candidates for NPP tickets, with the process having begun on October 15 and set to conclude on November 14. Application forms are being issued by district presidents and secretaries, accompanied by a modest fee — increased by around ₹5,000 this year — to support district-level party expenses.
“Our criterion will be winnability… it will depend on the grassroots, party leaders, workers, and offices,” Marak said.
He added that before finalizing the list of candidates, the party will consult with leaders from the primary, block, and district committees to assess each applicant’s local standing. While loyalty remains a valued factor, Marak emphasized that winnability is the top priority — a principle that was also followed during the last Assembly elections.
Marak noted that applications are already coming in and that he has instructed regional committees in Tura to hold weekly review meetings. A full report will be compiled once the district-level consultations are complete.
On the issue of pending GHADC employee salaries, Marak expressed optimism that the matter is nearing resolution.
“We are almost resolving the issues now. Most of the employees are very happy and have resumed work. Their salaries will be paid soon as bill preparations are already underway,” he said, dismissing the controversy as “politics being played over there.”
Reiterating the party’s commitment to grassroots engagement, Marak added,
“We have to be with the people on the ground all the time — every day matters in politics.”
He also noted that the next MLA elections are still “two and a half years away — quite a long period in politics.”
Cenotaph Construction Update
Addressing the long-standing Cenotaph controversy in Tura, Marak announced that work on a permanent memorial structure is set to begin soon.
“The design for the permanent structure has been finalized and approved by the committee. Everyone is satisfied with the plan,” he said.
Marak explained that while the earlier structure had already been demolished — sparking initial controversy — the new design, prepared by local architect Silchi Marak, has now received full approval.
The committee is in the process of fixing a date for the foundation stone-laying ceremony, which Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma is expected to attend.
“The earlier delay was due to some procedural lapses, but now everything is in place,” Marak confirmed.
