GHADC thumbs down to move against participation of non-tribals
TURA: Tura MDC Rupert Sangma’s attempt to get his motion seeking a bar on non-tribal participation in council polls passed in the GHADC was defeated by a voice vote on Tuesday.
The Tura MDC said, “I am not against any non-tribal. I don’t oppose their participation in the assembly or parliamentary elections. But the creation of the GHADC was solely to safeguard the interests of tribals and provide them protection. Participation in the council activities by non-tribals is a violation of the Sixth Schedule of the constitution.”
Rupert Sangma was supported by Congress MDCs Jogonsing D Sangma of Bolsong constituency and Kenedik S Marak of Siju constituency. Jogonsing said Garo Hills could “go the Tripura way where the once majority tribal population had become a minority in their own home”.
However, Dy CEM Augustine Marak of GNC pointed out that the matter is a sensitive one and recalled last year’s council polls where it became a burning issue.
“The GHADC had even sought a reply from the Law Department over the demand and its reply was that there is no law against their participation in the entire North East. Also, there are legal tangles and the issue of one’s fundamental right being violated so this august house cannot support the motion,” said the deputy CEM.
Another member, Dipul Marak of the NPP, read out from the district council rule book of Assam and Meghalaya to justify the stand taken by the ruling side.
“Para 2 of the Sixth Schedule does not specify who is eligible to vote or contest council elections. It is silent on participation or non-participation by non-tribals. In 2008, the GHADC wrote to the State government seeking deletion of non-tribal voters from the electoral roll and contesting the polls, but the Meghalaya Government replied that the constitution does not allow it to be done,” said Dipul Marak.
Two of the non-tribal MDCs in the house, Esmatur Mominen and Sofiur Rehman, also joined the debate on the issue. “I respect the mover (Tura MDC) of the motion but this needs a constitutional amendment. This house does not have the legal mandate to amend the rules,” said Mominen.
Rehman appealed to the members not to support the motion.
In the end when chairman Boston Marak asked whether Rupert wanted to withdraw the motion, he replied in the negative and called upon others to stand and support him.
When none stood up, the chairman called for a vote and asked how many were in favour of the motion to which there was a feeble ‘yes’ from the opposition benches. The ‘nays’ were the loudest from the ruling benches.
Absentees in the session
In a house of 29 MDCs, three were absent during the debate and vote on two crucial issues – demand for a separate Garoland state and barring of non-tribal participation in the council elections. The three MDCs who did not turn up for the session were Congress MDCs Sadhiarani M Sangma representing Dengnakpara and Stevie M Marak of Boldamgre, and GNC member Jimberth Marak of Amongpara constituency.