Shillong, May 16, 2026 — The Congress party has set its sights on reclaiming the Shillong (ST) Lok Sabha seat in the forthcoming by-election, banking on its long-standing influence in the constituency and the experience of its veteran leader Vincent H. Pala.
The Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) on May 14 unanimously resolved to field Vincent H. Pala as the party’s candidate for the by-poll. The decision was taken at a meeting in Shillong attended by district and block-level leaders, who extended their full support. The proposal has been forwarded to the Congress high command in Delhi for final approval.
Pala, who has represented the seat for three terms spanning 15 years, expressed confidence in his ability to restore Congress’s dominance. “I am grateful to the party for reposing faith in me once again,” he said, adding that the party is determined to regain the seat it held for nearly three decades.
A Historic Stronghold Turned Upset
Shillong Lok Sabha constituency, reserved for Scheduled Tribes, was long considered a Congress bastion. The party held the seat from 1998 to 2024, with Pala serving as a prominent face and former Union Minister. However, the 2024 general elections brought a significant upset when Voice of the People Party (VPP) candidate Ricky Andrew J. Syngkon defeated Pala by a massive margin of over 3.71 lakh votes. Syngkon secured 55.02% of the votes compared to Pala’s 19.19%, with National People’s Party (NPP) candidate Ampareen Lyngdoh finishing third.
The seat fell vacant following the untimely death of Syngkon on February 19, 2026. The by-election is expected to be notified soon by the Election Commission.
Triangular Contest on the Cards
The upcoming by-poll is likely to witness a keen triangular contest primarily involving Congress, VPP, and NPP. While Congress is firmly behind Pala, VPP is expected to field a strong candidate to defend the seat. NPP, which remains influential in Meghalaya politics, is also gearing up for the battle, with names such as DR DRL Nonglait being speculated as a possible contender. Other regional players like the United Democratic Party (UDP) may also join the fray.
For Congress, the by-election represents a crucial opportunity for revival in the Northeast after the 2024 setbacks. Party leaders believe Pala’s deep roots in the constituency and his administrative experience will help the party reconnect with voters.
The outcome of this by-poll is being keenly watched as it could serve as a barometer for Congress’s prospects in the region ahead of future electoral battles.
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