As the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) elections approach on February 21, 2025, Gardinal Sohshang, the National People's Party (NPP) candidate from the 29 Mawshynrut District Council Constituency, has expressed strong confidence in securing victory. Citing the NPP-led Meghalaya government’s comprehensive development agenda, he asserted that the party has garnered significant public support.
"The NPP is now embraced by the people as it continues its path of comprehensive development," Sohshang stated during a campaign interaction at his residence in Jenepih village, Riangdo, West Khasi Hills District. He highlighted the enthusiasm among voters towards his candidature, attributing it to the current state government being led by the NPP.
If elected, Sohshang has pledged to work towards the protection of Khasi customary laws, village administration, and the Khasi Social Custom of Clan Administration Bill, 2020. The Bill seeks to penalize non-tribals using Khasi surnames while also codifying and regulating the Khasi-Jaintia tribe’s Kur (clan) system. It aims to preserve the traditional matrilineal structure and prevent fraudulent claims of Khasi status for undue benefits.
In the upcoming polls, Sohshang faces competition from six other candidates, with the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) emerging as his primary rival. Notably, in the 2023 Meghalaya State Assembly elections, HSPDP candidate Methodius Dkhar defeated NPP’s former MLA Gigur Myrthong by a margin of 5,187 votes.
Mawshynrut constituency has a voter base exceeding 40,000, comprising approximately 10,000 Garo voters and the rest from the Khasi community. Sohshang expects to secure 15,000–20,000 votes, banking on NPP’s governance and development track record.
"Unlike the 2023 Assembly elections, where only three to four parties contested, this time the battle is broader with multiple parties, including NPP, BJP, INC, HSPDP, VPP, UDP, and an independent candidate. Despite this, I am fully confident of victory because the people of Mawshynrut recognize that NPP is leading the state government and can bring real development," he asserted.
The NPP is contesting in 25 out of the 29 KHADC constituencies, with exceptions being Mawlai (20), Jaiaw (19), Laban-Mawprem (15), and Nongkrem (8).
The KHADC, one of three autonomous district councils in Meghalaya, administers the West Khasi Hills, Eastern West Khasi Hills, East Khasi Hills, and Ri Bhoi districts. The Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) and Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) govern other tribal regions within the state.
