Shillong, March 25: The elections to GHADC will be done in consultations with council leadership.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said the decision on holding the GHADC elections, will be taken in consultation with the council leadership.
The Governor approved the Bill to prevent the non-tribals from contesting the GHADC polls.
Probe into GH violence
He said the government will examine the demand for constituting an inquiry into the recent Garo Hills unrest.
In response to a query, Sangma said, “The Leader of Opposition Dr Mukul Sangma had spoken and written to me a few days back. The kind of incidents that happened and the kind of situation that unfolded does require some kind of investigation to take place as to what led to the circumstances and who were involved in and especially the section where violence took place and public property was damaged, private properties were damaged – so those aspects do need to be looked”
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday hailed the alliance between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the National People’s Party (NPP) at the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) as a “strong message” that different political parties and leaders can go beyond party lines when it comes to the welfare of the people.
Alliance temporary
On the possibility of a long-term alliance with TMC, Sangma said, “At this point in time, I should say that I am happy to see that keeping the political differences and political positions aside, the TMC and MDCs of the TMC and the leadership of the TMC and some of the independent MDCs, they came together for the rights of the people and for the concerns of the people especially the tribal community in Garo Hills.”
Agatha’s name a mistake
Sangma has clarified that Agatha Sangma’s name was listed as a star campaigner despite being the chairperson of the Meghalaya State Commission for Protection of Child Rights due to a mistake.
Sangma said, “That was in fact incorrect and we have already written to the election commission to delete her name.”
He explained that Agatha Sangma had informed him at the beginning that she would not be campaigning, considering it improper given her position.
NPP hopeful in Assam
The chief minister hoped that the NPP will open its account in Assam in the upcoming elections.
When asked about the party’s expansion plans in Assam, Sangma said, “Our party of course has always aspired to expand our base in the different parts of the North East. Assam, we have not expanded in the past. We felt there were certain constituencies where we were in touch with some of the leaders for a long time and they have shown interest and based on that we took the decision to field few candidates.”
