NPP gave Meghalaya 8 years of political stability, says Dy CM Dhar
Synopsis
Meghalaya Deputy CM Sniawbhalang Dhar used an election rally in Ri Bhoi to make a pointed argument: eight years without a chief ministerial squabble is itself a campaign pitch. As the Shillong Lok Sabha bypoll heats up, the NPP is betting that stability — not just development — is the vote-winner.
Key Takeaways
Deputy CM Sniawbhalang Dhar claimed the NPP has governed Meghalaya for over eight years without internal power struggles.
Dhar spoke at an election rally in Umdihar, Ri Bhoi district , backing NPP's Shillong Lok Sabha bypoll candidate D.R.L.
He alleged previous governments were marked by frequent chief ministerial changes that hampered development.
Dhar urged party workers to avoid divisive language and maintain political decorum during the campaign.
He argued that electing an NPP MP would improve Centre-state coordination and speed up developmental projects in the constituency.
Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar on Tuesday asserted that the ruling National People's Party (NPP) has delivered over eight years of uninterrupted political stability to the state, describing it as a marked departure from the frequent leadership changes that preceded the party's tenure. Dhar made the remarks while campaigning for NPP candidate D.R.L. Nonglait in the upcoming Shillong Lok Sabha bypoll.
Key Developments at the Umdihar Rally
Addressing an election rally in Umdihar under Umsning in Ri Bhoi district, Dhar drew a sharp contrast between the NPP's governance record and those of earlier administrations. He alleged that previous governments were marked by rapid chief ministerial turnovers that derailed development priorities.
'For more than eight years, we have governed Meghalaya without fighting over the Chief Minister's post, the Deputy Chief Minister's position, or other political offices. Our priority has been serving the people,' Dhar said at the rally.
What the Government Said
The Deputy Chief Minister credited political continuity for enabling a sustained focus on public welfare and developmental projects. 'Today, Meghalaya has one of its most stable governments. Stability has enabled us to concentrate on development instead of political infighting,' he said.
Dhar also called on party workers to maintain decorum during the campaign, explicitly discouraging divisive language and personal attacks. 'We should respect one another and avoid unnecessary personal attacks. Politics should be about correcting mistakes and working together for the welfare of the people rather than creating divisions,' he added.
The Case for NPP Candidate Nonglait
Campaigning for the NPP's Lok Sabha nominee, Dhar described D.R.L. Nonglait as an experienced leader with a grounded understanding of rural challenges in the constituency. He argued that electing an MP aligned with the state's ruling party would strengthen coordination between the Meghalaya government and the Centre, accelerating the delivery of developmental projects.
What's Next for the Shillong Bypoll
The Shillong Lok Sabha bypoll has drawn active campaigning across Ri Bhoi and other parts of the parliamentary constituency. Dhar urged party workers to remain united, saying internal cohesion was as critical as voter outreach in securing an NPP victory. The bypoll outcome will be closely watched as a test of the NPP's hold on the state's political landscape after eight years in power.
Point of View
A strategy that works only if development outcomes are visible on the ground in Ri Bhoi and beyond. The Shillong bypoll is also a quiet test of whether alignment with the ruling state party still translates into Centre-linked patronage — a transactional pitch that resonates in infrastructure-starved constituencies but risks backlash if promises from earlier cycles remain unfulfilled.
NationPress
28 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Meghalaya Deputy CM Sniawbhalang Dhar say at the Umdihar rally?
Dhar claimed that the NPP has governed Meghalaya for over eight years without internal power struggles over leadership positions, contrasting this with the frequent chief ministerial changes under previous governments. He said stability had allowed the party to focus on development and public welfare.
Who is the NPP candidate for the Shillong Lok Sabha bypoll?
The NPP's candidate for the Shillong Lok Sabha bypoll is D.R.L. Nonglait. Deputy CM Dhar described Nonglait as an experienced and grounded leader who understands the challenges faced by rural communities in the constituency.
Why does Dhar say voting for the NPP candidate matters for development?
Dhar argued that electing an MP from the same party as the state government would improve coordination between Meghalaya and the Centre, helping accelerate developmental projects. He framed alignment between state and central representation as a practical governance advantage.
What is the Shillong Lok Sabha bypoll?
The Shillong Lok Sabha bypoll is a by-election for the Shillong parliamentary constituency in Meghalaya, covering areas including Ri Bhoi district. It has drawn active campaigning from the ruling NPP and other parties contesting the seat.
How long has the NPP been in power in Meghalaya?
According to Deputy CM Sniawbhalang Dhar, the NPP has governed Meghalaya for more than eight years. He claimed the party's tenure has been marked by political continuity, unlike the leadership instability that characterised earlier administrations.
