70 prospective candidates applied for GHADC poll tickets: Pala
Shillong, Jan 8: The state Congress has welcomed the government’s proposal for an ILP-like provision in the new Immigration and Foreigners’ Act 2025, if it can protect the interests of the indigenous communities.
“We welcome it if it protects people’s interests, but until we see what it says in the Act, it’s immature to comment,” Meghalaya Congress chief Vincent H Pala told reporters on Thursday.
Expressing caution over the government’s proposal to insert Inner Line Permit (ILP)-like provision in the Act, he said, “It is a central law… So, we will see what the texts in the Act say, then we can say,” he added.
Asked if the party is satisfied with the state government’s handling of influx and illegal immigration issues, Pala criticized the NPP and the BJP for failing to deliver on promises, citing coal mining and animal transportation laws as examples.
“In the manifesto, they said they will allow coal mining but till now they have not done it,” he said.
Pala also alleged public harassment due to restrictions imposed on transport of cows and other animals.
Targeting the BJP, the state Congress chief cited “dilution” of MGNREGA with the new VB G RAM G Act.
“So far, there are no pro-people laws but rather pro-business laws. So this (ILP-like) law also may not be exactly what we think, it may be against us…,” he added.
Meanwhile, Pala criticized the NPP-led MDA government for its “failure” to maintain law and order, citing the recent IED attack on Dhar construction company in East Jaintia Hills by the banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC).
“I think the HNLC had already come for settlement, but suddenly they withdrew. I think this is the failure of the government,” Pala said.
Pala emphasized that the government’s inability to address the HNLC’s demands has led to the breakdown of peace talks.
“If they (HNLC) can attack in a Deputy Chief Minister’s place, what will happen to the common man?,” he added.
On HNLC’s demand for general amnesty, Pala advocated for dialogue, saying, “The government should enter into some sort of a dialogue instead of a bloodshed.”
Further, the state Congress chief claimed that the party had received applications for tickets from around 70 candidates for the upcoming Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections.
Stating about the party’s readiness for the election, he said, “Around 70 ticket aspirants have come forward, and we have to decide on this issue.”
He further stated that the party’s decision on candidates will be taken once the election dates are announced.
