Shillong, April 15: Many political leaders of various parties skipped Shad Suk Mynsiem, the major thanksgiving festival of the Khasis, on Monday.
The exceptions were Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong and North Shillong MLA Adelbert Nongrum, who attended on Sunday and Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh and Mawphlang MLA MB Kurbah on Monday.
Chief Electoral Officer BDR Tewari also took part in the festival on Monday.
Hectic election campaign for the April 19 Lok Sabha polls is cited as one of the reasons for the inability of the prominent leaders and Lok Sabha candidates from attending the festival.
However, there is an opposite argument that their presence should have a made a difference for them in view of April 19.
When asked, Vice president ,Seng Khasi Kmie Banteilang Rumnong said the festival is not a political platform.
“We send open invitations to all to attend and it is upto them to come for the festival”, Rumnong said.
Meghalaya Governor Phagu Chauhan too did not attend though he was invited.
“There is no special guest for the festival, yet we invite the heads of the state and the government”, he said.
Rumnong did not want to respond to the question on minority status to Send Khasis.
The Regional Democratic Alliance (RDA) comprising UDP-HSPDP combine had mentioned in its manifesto regarding the need to provide minority status.
Earlier, speaking to reporters, Rumnong wanted the youngsters not to forget their roots in modern times.
Rain did not dampen the spirit of the dancers.
The number of dancers was 1636 (815 male and 821 female)
