Shillong, Jan 31: As the opposition parties in Meghalaya has not fielded any candidate for the Rajya Sabha seat from the state, Congress candidate, the sitting Rajya Sabha MP Wansuk Syiem was once again re-elected to the upper house.
She was declared elected for the second term to the Upper House of Parliament as she was the only candidate in the fray.
Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Secretary H Mylliemngap, who is also the returning Officer for the election, declared Syiem as the elected representative to the Rajya Sabha.
The Election Commission of India has declared January 31 as the last date for withdrawal of candidature.
After being declared as winner of the lone Rajya Sabha seat from Meghalaya, Syiem said, “I express my gratitude towards AICC chief Sonia Gandhi, Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma, Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee chief Dr. DD Lapang apart from other legislators, cabinet ministers beside her supporters; I also express my gratitude towards the opposition parties for not fielding any candidate.”
The 57 year-old former member of the national commission for women had studied till matriculation, before officially joining the ranks and files of the party. She became the first woman from Meghalaya to occupy the lone seat in the Rajya Sabha in the by-election in April last year.
Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee president D D Lapang and other senior party leaders congratulated Syiem. Chief Minister Mukul Sangma has also congratulated Syiem.
Stating about her priorities, she said, “whatever comes in the state I will be looking forward to the development of the people and also of my own state.”
Calling her previous tenure a trial period, syiem said, “now I am little bit aware of the parliamentary procedure so now I will have full term and I can do much better for the state.”
Meanwhile, talking to media, Lapang lauded at Syiem’s performance during her short stint in office in Delhi.
“She was friendly and helpful to all members of the House and attended to all the responsibilities assigned to her,” he said.(SP News)
