Shillong
United Democratic Party (UDP) candidate Synshar Lyngdoh Thabah may have won the battle royale for the lone Sohiong as results were declared on Saturday but it was UDP’s chief campaigner Amazing Kurbah who stole the show.
Known as UDP’s political troubleshooter in the Sohiong elections, people carried him aloft their shoulders as the polling drew to a close.
Speaking to The Meghalayan Kurbah said, “We were discouraged after the demise of Maheh (late Donkupar Lyngdoh) but after Thabah decided to contest the election, we knew that victory will be ours.”
As to what made him active in politics, especially supporting UDP wholeheartedly, Kurbah said that he has prepared well for the election campaign.
“It angered me to see people of Sohiong and we the people of Sohiong should not get duped. I have become fearless as I have seen that people have been deceived for the last 5 years in the form of money and words,” he said.
He is bent on removing the National People’s Party (NPP) from governance.
The leader revealed that there were promptings to get Thabah to contest on a VPP ticket but he decided to go ahead with UDP as the fight is seen to be between UDP and NPP.
“It is 30 percent sympathy votes in Sohiong,” Kurbah said.
He set aside mudslinging post-elections and said that the Khasi community is unique for having mutual respect for one another.
“When I campaigned for elections, I focused on removing the knots tied in the love for money,” he said.
Pine Talk
UDP supporters were seen carrying pine branches and chanted, “Where will you find fruit on a pine tree? Oh! What a surprise!”
Just to recall, at the time of filing of nominations, the late Donkupar Lyngdoh questioned as to where you will find fruit on a pine tree in response to NPP Samlin Malngiang who said that he is a pine tree (diengbilat) that is fruitful.
On the other hand, in the midst of UDP supporters chanting celebrative songs, a lone voice was heard saying “Ha u Prah” perhaps to gain attention.
Anxious faces waited outside the polling area at State Central Library and other supporters lined up at IGP. As the counting drew to a close, people made phone calls to inform them of UDP’s victory. A supporter was heard saying, “Lah jop suk” (it was an easy win).
The road was filled with UDP supporters and the people shouted all the more when NPP vehicles passed by.
Tea sellers, ice-cream sellers made brisk business during the day.