Amid early political speculation over the impending by-election to the Shillong Lok Sabha constituency following the demise of sitting MP late Dr Ricky A. J. Syngkon, Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee president and former three-time Member of Parliament from the constituency, Vincent H Pala, criticised the Voice of the People’s Party (VPP) for initiating discussions on a candidate even before Parliament has formally recorded an obituary reference for the late member.
Meanwhile, political circles have begun speculating over possible contenders for the prestigious parliamentary seat, with murmurs suggesting that the Congress could consider projecting a fresh face instead of fielding its former three-time MP. Though the State Congress chief maintained that the party would refrain from discussing the by-election for at least a month out of respect for parliamentary conventions and public sentiment, informal political chatter over potential candidates has already begun to surface.
The by-election has been necessitated following the untimely demise of Syngkon on February 19, 2026. The vacancy comes less than two years after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, when the VPP leader defeated Pala by a margin of 3,71,910 votes, marking a significant shift in the political landscape of the constituency. The VPP’s Election Committee has already submitted its recommendation proposing the candidature of Batskhem Myrboh to the party’s State Executive Committee, with formal approval awaited.
Referring to the timing of political discussions around the by-election, Pala said the party believed that the issue should not be raised immediately after the death of a sitting Member of Parliament.
“The bye-election is too early to say because we believe that, if somebody does especially when the sitting MP died, we normally feel that still in the house, people are still mourning normally up to a month. So we will take a decision after a month,” he said.
He stressed that the death of a sitting MP must first be formally acknowledged in Parliament before political parties begin discussions on the electoral process.
“Number one, it is not only the family but the supporters are so many of supporters also. And very important is that when any sitting MP died, that have to inform the Parliament and in parliament it will come in the gazette and then there will be a obituary in the floor of the house (Lok Sabha). So the obituary has not been done in Parliament, it should be done either on 9th or on 10th. And after that only we should talk about the politics,” he said.
Emphasising the need to respect the sentiments of the bereaved family and supporters, Pala said it would be inappropriate to rush political decisions at this stage.
“So lot of in my family also related to him. It’s only 10-15 days after his death. I think this ethically, I don’t think that is good for us, to decide on the ticket to rush for the election because we have six months time you have to do within six months, enough time. There’s no point to rush, otherwise it’s just like insult to the family of decease. Therefore, we should have respect for the MP, the family and the chair he was holding. Let the parliament finish their obituary and then we decide,” he said.
Taking a swipe at the VPP for reportedly moving ahead with the process of identifying its candidate, Pala questioned the urgency displayed by the party.
“I think there’s something wrong in the VPP, only lip service to Late MP Dr Ricky Syngkon otherwise what’s hurry for them till now even parliament has not finished the obituary, what’s the point for them to be in Hurry. It’s only 10-12 days, maybe something wrong with them they want to give ticket to someone, it doesn’t look nice in our culture. You don’t respect the sentiment of the people. VPP is a party which is there in District Council also, who have four MLAs also, they should thought about it,” he said.
At the same time, Pala asserted that the Congress would certainly contest the by-election, though the decision on the candidate would be taken only after consultations with the party’s central leadership.
“Hundred percent the Congress will contest, only who will contest, that is the matter to decide. That decision is not for me alone to take, it’s not by MPCC alone, the AICC has to agree on that. We have to inform AICC, so we will start a process by inviting who are the aspirants who wants to contest, but hundred percent we will contest and we will announce at the appropriate time,” he said.
Expressing confidence about the party’s prospects, the former MP said the electorate may reassess its choices in the coming election.
“I think we should do well this time because we had enough time to prepare, I am very confident that people have experienced all other parties and definitely people will look back to the congress,” he said.
Pala also dismissed suggestions that he would automatically be the Congress candidate for the by-election, indicating that the party may even consider a new face.
“In congress you cannot decide for yourself and I am a president and I cannot decide for myself, rather I also told if we can get a new face which I really want if we have new face. I thought that I should concentrate of State Politics and someone should go and contest MP. So far the party hasn’t spoken about it,” he said.
He further clarified that the party has not yet begun discussions with any aspirants.
“So far, we have not even talk. I just came yesterday from garaviews so far, we have not even talked to anyone,” he said.
Wait for Obituary in Parliament Before Bypoll Politics, Pala Tells VPP
