SHILLONG: The Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) is open for post-poll alliances with other regional parties to thwart the Congress from forming the Executive Committee (EC) in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC).
“We have not been able to have any pre-poll arrangement with other regional parties. But the KHNAM would soon approach other regional parties on the need to have a post-poll alliance to prevent the Congress from forming the EC after the election,” KHNAM president Pyndapborthiaw Saibon told newsmen on Tuesday after a meeting of the party candidates and leaders.
He said that the Congress does not have the moral right to lead the KHADC which is an autonomous body concerned with the protection of the rights and identity of the indigenous people.
“Everyone is aware that the Congress is not bothered about the welfare and interest of the indigenous people. This is clearly evident from the party’s opposition to implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) to tackle the problem of influx and flow of illegal immigrants,” Saibon said.
The KHNAM president said that the mandate to lead the Council this time should be given to the regional parties since their priority is to safeguard the interest of the indigenous people.
Saibon also said that his party would demand for an anti-defection law in the Council to prevent MDCs from jumping from one party to another.
“We have seen the unhealthy practice going on in the Council where the MDCs switch from one party to another only to suit their political interests. The party also suffered in the last election after one of its MDC (Lambor Malngiang) defected to the Congress in the absence of any anti-defection law,” he said.
Saibon also said that they would demand for amendment of Paragraph 12 A of the Sixth Schedule since this particular section weakens the functions and powers of the Council.
“We are against this particular section since it authorizes the laws of the State Government to override the laws passed by the Council even in matters allotted to the Council by the Constitution,” the KHNAM chief said.
He said that the empowerment of the Council cannot take place unless Paragraph 12 A of the Sixth Schedule is revoked.
When asked about the proposal to increase the number of seats in the GHADC as per the agreed text settlement with the ANVC, Saibon said that if the Government proposes to increase the strength to 40 in the GHADC then the strength of the KHADC should also be further increased.
“In terms of areas and population, the KHADC deserves to have more seats than the GHADC. The number of seats in the KHADC should be increased to 50,” Saibon said.
He said that the party would continue to pursue the rampant issue of trading licenses and stress on the protection of the land, culture and practices of the indigenous people.
The KHNAM has, so far, announced the names of 13 candidates for the election to the KHADC and is scheduled to announce more names shortly.