SHILLONG, AUG 22: Amid the shifting political dynamics in Meghalaya, the Congress party seems reluctant to sever ties with the National People’s Party (NPP) in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC). Last year, the ruling NPP and the Indian National Congress (INC) formed a ruling alliance called the Khasi Hills Democratic Front (KHDF) within the KHADC.
Speaking to the media after chairing the General Body meeting of the state Congress for the Shillong Parliamentary Constituency, MPCC President Vincent H. Pala acknowledged that some Congress members are advocating for the party to withdraw its support from the NPP in the district council.
However, Pala emphasized that as a National Party, Congress follows a systematic approach and must carefully weigh the pros and cons before making any final decisions. He stressed the importance of considering the public’s interest in this matter.
“The mood of our workers is that we should go alone in the district council and they have also entrusted the president and his team to examine the pros and cons. The overall mood is that they are not happy with the way the NPP is doing and the way it is happening in the district council. So, most of them think that we should withdraw from the council,” Pala said.
Further, Pala noted that the decision cannot be made unilaterally by the party. Instead, it must involve the members of the council, as the leader of the house plays a crucial role in determining such alliances. The party can only advise or direct its members, but the final decision rests with the Congress leader of the house.
“Pynshngain had assured them that we have a system. We are a national party. We cannot just walk in or walk out. We have a system. We have to see the pros and cons. The interest of the public has to be taken into consideration. We have told them and majority of them have expressed that they trust us and would leave the matter to us,” he added.
Asked, Pala said that the decision of the Congress to support the NPP-led EC in the KHADC was based on issues related to the amendment of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India and delimitation of the constituencies ahead of ADC elections.
“We took this decision with a good intention that we should contribute for the amendment of the Sixth Schedule and that we should not allow only the NPP and the BJP to dictate terms. We have experienced politicians like Pynshngain and his team at that time with MLAs and all, we said we should not allow the NPP and BJP to take decisions whatever they like. That was our intention (extending support to the NPP),” he said while adding “And also the delimitation of the district council and many other things which we need to contribute because at that time there was a big issue between the NPP and the UDP. So the people of Meghalaya and Khasi-Jaintia should have been left unattended if you didn’t participate. So our intention is to contribute for the welfare of the people.”
Meanwhile, Pynshngainlang N. Syiem, the Congress MDC from Mawkhar-Pynthorumkhrah, noted that there were several developments over the past one year and the Congress working with the NPP to serve the people according to tradition and customs.
He also highlighted that the Autonomous District Council is currently undergoing amendments to the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, and all MDCs are working together to ensure that these amendments are beneficial for everyone involved.