Shillong, Apr 18: In its attempt to re-establish its foothold in Meghalaya, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is tapping into the unemployment issue by advocating for reservation of youth in the Autonomous District Council (ADC) elections.
National President of the Nationalist Youth Congress (NYC), the youth wing of the NCP, Dheeraj Sharma was in the state to spark a call for political reforms on the issue of unemployed and limited opportunities.
Sharma told reporters that lack of political inclusion has left young people without a voice in decision-making, even as unemployment drives migration out of Meghalaya. “Greater political inclusion could help channel youth engagement into decision-making processes,” he said, linking the reservation demand to joblessness and disillusionment among youth.
He said the NCP would take up the matter with its central leadership as part of a broader push to institutionalise youth representation across local bodies, the Assembly, and Parliament.
While noting the party’s history of promoting young leaders, Sharma said structural quotas in ADCs would bring fresh perspectives to local governance and address representation gaps.
Sharma said the NCP’s initiative extends beyond mere reservation as it aims to create a structured framework for youth leaders across local bodies, the assembly, and parliament.
The quota call comes as the NCP launches an organisational expansion and membership drive to strengthen its youth base in the state. Sharma said increased electoral participation would be a “natural extension” of these efforts and could inject fresh perspectives into local governance.
He added that the party is expanding its youth base through an organisational and membership drive, and that greater youth participation in elections would follow.
