Shillong, April 22: The talks between Meghalaya and Assam to resolve the inter-state boundary dispute in the remaining areas will resume after formation of the new government in the neighbouring state.
“Dialogue with the counterpart is a continuous process. Let us wait when the new government is formed in Assam… we will continue the discussion,” Deputy Chief Minister and Chairman of the West Jaintia Hills Regional Committee, Sniawbhalang Dhar, told reporters on Tuesday.
Also, the next round of talks hinges on Assam constituting its regional committees.
“As of now, we don’t know who will be the chairman from their side as the new government is yet to be formed. Only when they form the new government, they will form the regional committees. They will take a call before we meet again,” he said.
Asked if the boundary dispute could be resolved before the state assembly elections in 2028, Dhar said there was no fixed timeline.
“Because it involves both the states, we are trying to resolve the issue at the earliest but it is not so easy,” he said.
“I cannot say whether we can solve it in two years or in two months but we always try our best (to resolve it at the earliest),” he added.
NPP candidate for LS bypoll
Dhar, meanwhile, said the delay in naming of the National People’s Party (NPP) candidate for the Shillong Lok Sabha bye-election is multiple aspirants for the ticket, but the party will name the candidate soon.
“A number of them have approached the party. That is why it is taking a little bit of time for us to declare the candidate,” he said.
The party will soon call a meeting to decide on the candidate, he said.
“We are very close to announcing the name of the candidate,” he added.
Asked if decisions by the BJP and other alliance partners to field their own candidates would affect the NPP, he said, “No, it will not affect as they are fighting based on their own vote banks. Maybe UDP will put, maybe BJP will put, maybe HSPDP will put. There is no common candidate. We will fight on our own only.”
On the Rajya Sabha nomination, Dhar said, “We are yet to decide. The party will discuss this issue and decide unanimously on this.”
