The Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has refused to be part of the newly constituted all-party committee set up by the state government to deliberate on the issue of introducing railways in the state.
MPCC secretary Manuel Badwar today criticised the initiative as a superficial attempt by the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government to feign inclusivity. Another opposition party, the Voice of the People Party (VPP) had earlier announced that it would also skip the committee but cited the lack of progress on the implementation of the Inner Line Permit as its reasoning.
Calling the all-party committee an “eyewash,” Badwar asserted that the government, which holds a clear majority, should take responsibility for its decisions instead of seeking cover during challenging situations.
“The Congress Party has decided not to participate in this all-party committee on railways because we believe it’s just a way for the government to shift responsibility. They have not consulted anyone when taking major decisions like legalising casinos or addressing border issues, so why now?” Badwar questioned.
He added that bringing parties together on selective matters suggests the government is unable to navigate contentious issues independently. “When they run into sticky ground and can’t decide, they want to drag everyone else into the mess and then share or shift the blame,” Badwar said. “If you want to involve everyone, involve them in everything, not just when you’re cornered. This is not about collaboration; it’s about covering up.”
The Congress reiterated that the public has already given the MDA government a mandate to govern and take decisions. “They’ve been elected to run the show. Let them do so and take full responsibility for the outcomes,” Badwar said.
