Shillong, Jan 31: The Congress has punched holes in the VPP’s claim of pushing for introduction of Article 371 in Meghalaya, if voted to power.
“Article 371 will not protect the trade and commerce of the tribal people. Sixth Schedule is more powerful when it comes to the protection of tribal indigenous people, trade and commerce, land, etc.,” Congress MLA Ronnie V Lyngdoh told reporters on Friday while urging the people of Khasi-Jaintia region to reject the Voice of the People Party (VPP) in the upcoming autonomous district council (ADC) elections.
Referring to VPP’s reported claim that the party would demand for Article 371, if voted to power, the Mylliem MLA said, “I fail to understand (demand for Article 371)… it is like a person, who says he wants that house but when he gets it, he would burn it.”
Urging the people not to be misled by such parties, Lyngdoh argued that if Article 371 is more powerful than Sixth Schedule then why would people of Ladakh demand for introduction of Sixth Schedule.
Claiming the Congress party’s significant role in safeguarding the state’s indigenous people with Sixth Schedule, he said, “Till now, land, tradition and customs and also the trade-commerce are being protected because of Congress leaders’ vision in providing the Sixth Schedule.”
Meanwhile, the Congress leader slammed the VPP for adopting the BJP’s strategy of exploiting the religious sentiments of the people.
“What is the difference between the BJP and VPP? Both are exploiting the religious sentiments of the people. If we blame the BJP for exploiting religious sentiments, the VPP is also liable to be blamed for doing the same,” he said.
Questioning the VPP’s claim that it cares for the jaitbynriew (Khasi-Jaintia community), Lyngdoh said, “You want to do away with the Sixth Schedule. If Article 371 comes, traditional institutions will disappear. How can you claim you love the jaitbynriew.”
“For the past 73 years, the Sixth Schedule has given us protection so why should we do away with it. I urge people to extend their full support to the Congress party,” Lyngdoh added.
He was accompanying party candidates – Banphiralang Basaiawmoit from Mylliem and Manuel Badwar from Laitumkhrah-Malki – for filing of their nomination papers for the upcoming KHADC polls.
Banphiralang expressed confidence that the party will win the KHADC polls and said, “We are working hard to win the election and we are confident to win no doubt.”
“It is always good when you have new faces. It is a good sign for the society that young faces are coming forward to offer their service to the people,” he said.
The Congress candidate from Mylliem also emphasized the need to come up with effective laws to protect the indigenous people and their land while referring to the decision of the Uttarakhand state to implement the Uniform Civil Code while exempting tribal lands in that state.
He also underscored the importance of improving the financial position of the ADCs and said, “There is need for clarity on the revenue sharing between the state and the district council.”
Referring to the VPP as an “empty vessel”, Banphira said, “As Congress we know our principles and we have visions and we will let our actions speak louder than our words unlike the VPP which makes a lot of noises just like empty vessel.”
