Shillong, Feb 16: Why does the state need the inner line permit? What did the last government do for persons with disabilities? Is NPP successful in solving the long-standing inter-state border dispute? These were among the questions which were raised, replied to, deliberated upon and debated over at a political event organised by Hills Youth Collective and moderated by renowned researcher and author Sanjoy Hazarika.
The state-level debate of all political parties saw the participation of UDP’s Allantry Dkhar, Trinamool Congress youth wing president Bansharailang Pyngrope, Congress’s East Shillong candidate Manuel Bardwar, NPP’s Bajop Pyngrope and Voice of the People Party’s Batskhem Myrboh.
The first round of the event saw the participants presenting their arguments for their respective parties and why they deserve to be voted to power. This was followed by a debate as each participant countered one or more opponents’ views. Hazarika and members of the audience too posed questions to the participants.
Among the points of discussion, the Assam-Meghalaya border issue and inner line permit took the limelight. While Bajop asserted that NPP was the first party that could successfully take up the border issue with neighbouring Assam, his opponents countered saying such a critical issue could not solved in a few months and that Meghalaya was settling for “more giving” in the give-and-take process.
“We understood the prob lems of people living in border areas. I represent a border constituency and I know… NPP will win all the seats in the border areas,” said Bajop, who is an MDC from Rambrai-Jyrngam.
All the speakers agreed that the inner line permit was required but suggested different approaches to achieving the goal.
Manuel spoke about the need for bringing down the living cost, free healthcare and education till higher secondary, a vision for surplus power generation and pay hikes for mediapersons.
Allan was categorical about UDP’s vision for sustainable growth against other parties’ freebie policy. He also stressed the need for the state’s healthy financial status “and that is possible under a regional party”.
The audience raised questions about the last government’s contributions to the welfare of persons with disabilities and youth empowerment.
