Shillong, Feb 6: Meghalaya minister and senior UDP leader Paul Lyngdoh, on Wednesday took potshots at the regional opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP) for excluding the crucial Article 371 of the Indian Constitution from its manifesto for the upcoming Autonomous District Council (ADC) elections in Khasi and Jaintia Hills region.
The VPP had earlier promised in its 2023 Assembly election plan to push for Article 371—a special rule that gives certain states extra protections—to be applied to Meghalaya. Lyngdoh said the VPP’s decision to leave this out of its ADC plan shows confusion.
“After winning seats in the 2023 Assembly elections, the VPP should have immediately worked to replace the Sixth Schedule with Article 371. Instead, they are now trying to gain power in the ADC under the same system they claim to oppose,” Lyngdoh said during a press meeting.
Lyngdoh pointed out that the Sixth Schedule, which gives tribal areas in Meghalaya self-rule, and Article 371 cannot work at the same time. “For example, Mizoram follows Article 371, except in three ADCs created for non-Mizo tribes. If the VPP really wants Article 371, they must first agree to remove the Sixth Schedule—but that would go against their oath as ADC members,” he explained.
He also mentioned that he had opposed a similar idea by VPP president Ardent Basaiawmoit in 2015, calling it “misleading” without proper public discussion. “My arguments against Article 371 are on record, and the UDP will keep explaining to voters why it’s not right for Meghalaya,” Lyngdoh added.
The UDP leder highlighted that the Sixth Schedule protects Meghalaya’s tribal areas, with 98% of the state exempt from the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). “Changing the Sixth Schedule could risk these protections,” he warned.
He challenged the VPP to take a clear stand: “If they are serious, their first step after winning should be to pass a resolution to remove the Sixth Schedule and bring in Article 371. Let the people decide if that’s what they want.”
In regards to the demand made by the National People’s Party (NPP) to expand tribal areas, Paul Lyngdoh termed it necessary. “Most areas, including urban ones like Shillong West, are already under ADCs. There’s nothing new here,” he said.
