Mawkyrwat: The HSPDP supremo Ardent Miller Basawiamoit today appealed to the people to give their support to ensure victory of the HSPDP-UDP in the forthcoming polls. The people would see the difference in our working pattern and that of the current government.
Miller said the HSPDP-UDP is for protecting the interests of the indigenous people and their rights over the land and its resources and safeguarding of their centuries old customs.
Referring to the recent comment made by Shillong MP, Vincent Pala that all the land and its resources belong to the Government of India and the people of the state has right to own only the top soil, Basawiamoit said that this was the thinking of the national parties including the Congress, BJP and NPP.
Addressing a meeting at Mawthawpdah village in South West Khasi Hills District, Basawiamoit said: “If we come to power, we will fight for implementation of the Article 371 which gives us the right to own the land and its resources and to enable us to preserve our custom and traditions.”
This is the difference between the regional parties and the national parties, Basawiamoit said hitting back those who claimed that he wanted to abolish the Autonomous District Council by bringing Article 371. “Article 371 will not abolish the District Councils. In Mizoram this article was implemented and the District Councils are still there,” he added.
Basawiamoit also said that it was the wishes of the people of the state who wanted to see the unity of the regional parties so that they can be the alternatives to national parties. “We have to listen to the wishes of the people and now it is your duty to vote for us and give us a chance,” Basawiamoit said expressing his confidence that the regional parties will come to power in the next elections.
Basawiamoit also said that the party was not wrong in giving ticket to Renikton L. Tongkhar from Mawkyrwat Constituency because he has done good homework, assessed people’s need properly. That is why he has a good chance to win the election, he said.
Others who spoke at the meeting include Renikton L. Tongkhar, the General Secretary of the UDP Mawkyrwat Circle, Commander Shangpliang, President UDP Mawkyrwat Circle, Anvil Lyngdoh, Langrin MDC and Manstudy Nongrem who joined the HSPDP recently.
