Shillong Lok Sabha bypoll: Two professors in fray; university gives NOC
Shillong, Aug 3
In a rare electoral contest involving members of the same academic institution, two professors of the North Eastern Hill University are set to face each other in the upcoming Shillong Lok Sabha bypoll after the university granted them No Objection Certificates to contest the election.
The bypoll has also drawn attention because the late sitting MP, Dr Ricky A.J. Syngkon, whose death necessitated the election, was himself a professor at NEHU, making it an unusual election where the outgoing parliamentarian and both principal contestants share academic ties with the state's premier central university.
The two candidates are ruling National People's Party (NPP) nominee Dr D.R.L. Nonglait of NEHU's Department of Khasi and the opposition Voice of the People's Party (VPP) candidate Prof Batskhem Myrboh from the Department of Political Science.
A senior official of the University said on Monday that the NOCs were approved during the 88th emergent meeting of the NEHU Executive Council held on July 30.
An official communication issued by the Joint Registrar confirmed that both faculty members have been granted permission to contest the parliamentary by-election.
The development comes after Prof Myrboh approached the Meghalaya High Court over an alleged delay in the issuance of the NOC.
With the university now granting the required clearance, both candidates are free to campaign without any administrative impediment.
The Shillong Lok Sabha bypoll was necessitated following the death of sitting MP Dr Ricky A.J. Syngkon on February 19 this year. Before entering electoral politics, Syngkon served as a professor at NEHU.
The Shillong parliamentary constituency comprises 36 Assembly segments spread across the Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills regions and is regarded as one of Meghalaya's most politically significant seats.
With the nomination process complete and statutory clearances in place, both academic-turned-politicians have intensified their campaign across the constituency ahead of the by-election, setting the stage for a closely watched contest.
The Election Commission of India has yet to announce the dates of the bypoll.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good that Prof Myrboh approached the High Court - it shows how our judicial system works to protect citizens' rights. No one should face administrative hurdles when they want to serve the people. The NOC delay was unnecessary; the university should have been quicker in processing it. Still, glad it's resolved now.
It's refreshing to see academics entering politics in Meghalaya. We need more educated people in governance who understand policy and can think critically. Dr Syngkon's legacy as a professor-turned-MP seems to have inspired others to follow the same path. Hopefully, this trend continues across India. 🎓
The Shillong seat is indeed significant with 36 assembly segments. Let's hope the academic background of these candidates translates into better policies for the tribal communities in Khasi and Jaintia Hills. Both professors should focus on issues like infrastructure, education, and healthcare rather than just political rivalry.
This is a good example of institutional neutrality. The university allowed both faculty members to contest, showing it doesn't favor any political party. It would have been problematic if the NOC was given to just one candidate. The High Court intervention was necessary, though - no one should have to fight for basic rights like this.
Democracy is truly unique in India - from professors to farmers, everyone has the right to contest elections. But the university's delay in granting NOC shows how bureaucracy can sometimes become an obstacle. I hope the ECI announces the dates soon so that the electoral process moves forward without further complications. 🙏
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