After NEHU teacher Prof. Lakhon Kma announced his decision to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha election from Shillong seat as an independent candidate, another person has also decided to throw his hat in the ring.
Peter Shallam today said that he has decided to contest the parliamentary election as an independent candidate.
A lawyer by profession, 58-year-old Shallam who is a resident of Laitkor has served as a government servant for the last 20 years. He was also a member of the KSU in the past.
“I chose to enter politics as an independent candidate because I don’t want to take any advantage of any political party. I want to reach out to the sensitive voters in all the 36 constituencies who will not cast their votes blindly or waste their votes in non deserving candidates but to choose wisely. I want to show the people of the State that I yearn to take responsibility for the well-being of the ‘Jaitbynriew’ through this ensuing election,” Shallam told media persons at a press conference here.
Shallam said that if elected he would work with light-minded parties at the Center to garner support for the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Meghalaya.
Stating that ILP is not outdated, he maintained that it is still one of the mechanisms that can protect a small minority with a population of only 35 lakh from the threat of influx that could wipe out small minorities of the State.
He also stressed on the need for poor road infrastructure, proper education system, and settlement of the boundary issues.