Shillong: The veteran Congress leader and former chief minister, DD Lapang, has criticised the opposition parties for trying to resort to falsehood to malign the party and its role in the development of the state.
In a release here on Friday, Lapang said, “On turning over the pages of history, we find that such stalwarts of the party like Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru came down to Shillong from New Delhi to meet the Khasis, the tribals, the downtrodden and the minorities.”
“Punditji met the late Rev. JJM Nichols Roy, who was later known as the architect of the Autonomous District Councils. Pundit Nehru and Rev. Roy met the other community leaders, shared ideas, put their hearts together and through such deliberations, the foundations for the adoption of the Sixth Schedule and formation of the Autonomous District Councils were laid down,” he added. The veteran politician said the people of Meghalaya cannot forget the Congress for preserving their land and the customary traditions. He also credited Indira Gandhi for Meghalaya’s statehood.
“Indira Gandhi came to Meghalaya and adorned in her golden Khasi Jainsem, she announced, ‘we give you a state of your own so that you can grow according to your own genius’,” Lapang informed.
Education, especially higher studies, and state-of the-art healthcare institute like NEIGRIHMS were other things that Lapang credited the Congress for. Praising Chief Minister Mukul Sangma for his “dynamic leadership”, Lapang, who is now the advisor to the MPCC, said Sangma had ensured stability and law and order in the state and years of unrest and bandhs came to an end during his tenure.
“Earlier the people of Meghalaya could not even celebrate Independence Day due to bandhs but now all of us can participate in the Independence Day celebrations… But it is a matter of concern today that this spirit of freedom… and its unique diverse culture are being threatened by vicious forces from outside and is trying to make a backdoor entry into Meghalaya. Our people of Meghalaya need to be vigilant against such divisive forces,” Lapang said and added that Sonia Gandhi had immense love for the tribal people of Meghalaya and the North East.
On Rahul Gandhi’s new role as the chief of the AICC, Lapang observed that the party has got new vigour and strength “that will take the country and young Indians to new height”.
