Shillong, March 25: Chief Minister and National People’s Party (NPP) chief Conrad K Sangma has welcomed his party’s alliance with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) and termed it a “strong message” showing how parties and leaders with differences can go beyond party lines for “welfare of the people”.
Replying to a media query on possibility of a long-term alliance with, the Chief Minister 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, came together for the rights of the people and for the concerns of the people especially the tribal community in Garo Hills.”
Elaborating further on NPP’s alliance with TMC, which is in opposition in the state assembly, Sangma said, “This is a very positive and a very strong message to the people of Garo Hills that when it comes to the people, different political parties and leaders go beyond party lines and look at what is good for the people of the state as a whole. I think this is a shining example of that.”
He expressed gratitude to the TMC MDCs, independent MDCs, and the party leadership for their support which led to the passing of the amendment of the AD rules, making it mandatory for candidates to hold Scheduled Tribe certificates.
The NPP chief hailed the MDCs’ decision to take the “very correct and bold and very strong stand to support this particular Bill and be part of this decision.”
The decision to amend the AD Rules also comes after the state government’s decision to extend the current tenure of the GHADC by six months following weeks of violent protests against non-tribal participation in the council elections, which was earlier scheduled to be held on April 10.
