There are other parties who beg votes from non-tribals come election time but later treat the same people as second-class citizens, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate for North Shillong, Mariahom Kharkrang, said today.
The former police officer was addressing a conclave where a roadmap was presented to make North Shillong a model constituency.
The BJP polled second in the mixed-raced seat five years ago (though under a different candidate) and Kharkrang will want to capitalise on that strong performance, especially drawing strength from the non-tribal section of society.
Today he said that the violence that followed the August 13, 2021 killing of former militant Cheristerfield Thangkhiew was a blot on the face of Meghalaya.
Decrying the breakdown in law and order, he said that it was demoralising for police that a gang of youth could seize police weapons and a vehicle and parade around parts of the city like it was Afghanistan.
Kharkrang went on to say that the way non-tribals, many of whom have been here for generations, are often treated in the state is a disgrace. As an example, he said that a constable died while fighting militancy in Meghalaya but his children are considered to be second-class.
“The same people who come with folded hands asking for your vote curse you and say words that are not meant to be said when they go to Khasi areas,” Kharkrang claimed, while lamenting that non-tribals are considered to be thugs in Meghalaya irrespective of which community you belong to. “The same parties that beg for your vote in Khasi localities are the ones who say that when they come to power they will ensure that Dkhar are removed.”
He said that he stood by non-tribals and every other citizen of Meghalaya during the height of militancy and he will continue to do so.
Meanwhile, various leaders of the BJP spoke at two public rallies in Shillong today organised at Gorkha Pathshala ground and at Golflink.
Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs, John Barla and BJP National Spokesperson Sambit Patra called out the fallacies of the NPP government and the hollow promises of the TMC and the Congress.
Patra said the TMC is a corrupt and communal party from Bengal which wants to divide Meghalaya and import citizens. For the first time after the TMC’s arrival in the political scene of Meghalaya, we can see political violence during the elections. Peace and Prosperity, he said were the two Ps of the BJP that will drive development in Meghalaya, and we can trust only the BJP to bring this to the state. Patra said, the NPP, TMC and Congress also believe in 2 Ps – Paisa (money) and Pariwar (their own family).
At Golflink, Barla and Patra spoke about the inclusive governance and development policies of the PM Modi-led BJP government.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who was supposed to address both the meetings, had cancelled as his flight could not land at the Umroi airport due to bad weather despite repeated attempts.
Shah addressed the crowd over phone and sought their support for the BJP.
