The state Congress Party has called on the people to reject the Voice of the People Party (VPP) at next months elections to the Khasi and Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Councils (KHADC and JHADC) on account of the VPP’s “lies” regarding Article 371 of the Constitution.
Mylliem MLA and senior Congress member Ronnie V Lyngdoh, criticised the VPP’s promise to introduce Article 371 in Meghalaya if elected. He likened it to someone wanting a house only to burn it down upon acquiring it. “I urge the people of Khasi-Jaintia not to be misled and not to support such parties,” he said.
Article 371 grants special powers to certain states and currently applies in six of the eight North East states. Meghalaya and Tripura are the only ones not covered. Instead, the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution applies in Meghalaya. This part of the Constitution enabled the creation of the district councils to protect tribal identity and authority.
The Congress leader also took aim at the VPP for exploiting religious sentiments, drawing a parallel with the BJP. “If we blame the BJP for using religion in politics, then VPP must be held accountable for doing the same,” he said.
Accusing the VPP of undermining the rights of the Khasi-Jaintia people, Lyngdoh warned that if Article 371 replaces the Sixth Schedule, traditional institutions will be at risk of disappearing. “For 73 years, the Sixth Schedule has protected us. Why throw it away now? If you truly love the jaidbynriew, you must stand by the Congress to strengthen these protections, not dismantle them,” he urged.
Meanwhile, Lyngdoh also took a personal dig at the VPP challenger in the Mylliem seat, Aibandaplin Lyngdoh Nonglait, accusing her of misleading voters regarding her educational background.
Lyngdoh alleged that Nonglait, in her affidavit for the 2023 Assembly election (which she narrowly lost to Lyngdoh), did not disclose that she had studied Theology. He claimed that while she publicly stated she pursued Theology, her affidavit only mentions completing Class 12.
“This raises concerns about the extent to which candidates may exploit people’s religious sentiments for electoral gains,” Lyngdoh said. He further questioned the integrity of a candidate who, according to him, could mislead voters even before winning an election.
Meanwhile, today saw several big guns file their nomination papers for the upcoming election, including ex-MLA George Lyngdoh as MDC hopeful for Umroi as an independent, Manuel Badwar of the Congress for Laitumkhrah-Malki, independent Ricky Shullai for Laban-Mawprem, Teibor Pathaw for Mawlai as an independent after the abandoned the NPP, and others.
In South West Khasi Hills, the NPP’s Mandilos Nongbri and UDP’s Jesland Roy Nongsiej and Pius Marweiñ today completed the filing of nomination papers.
Five candidates today filed their nomination papers at the office of the Amlarem Civil Sub-Division, West Jaiñtia Hills district for the JHADC election.
Of these three candidates are from the VPP, one from the Congress and one independent filed their papers.
The three VPP candidates from War Jaiñtia consisting of Isaak Shylla from War-East, Jamshaphrang Pohtam from War-Central and Batskhem Hayong from War-West
The Congress candidate is Romeo Lyngdoh from War Central constituency and Blonsing Hayong as the independent candidate from War West constituency.
