Local MLA and MDC accused of keeping mum on upgrade of Sohra

SHILLONG, Oct 23: State tourism promoter and former journalist Alan West Kharkongor has alleged that there is a lack of leadership in incumbent Sohra MLA and People’s Democratic Front (PDF) leader Gavin Mylliem and Sohra MDC and United Democratic Party (UDP) leader Titos Chyne to take up the matter of the upgrade of Sohra civil subdivision to a district.
It may be mentioned that Kharkongor is one of the leaders of the Sohra District Demand Forum, which is spearheading the demand for the upgrade of Sohra civil subdivision to a district.
Talking to reporters, Kharkongor also revealed that the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) has reached out to him to contest the 2023 Assembly elections from Sohra.
Kharkongor, however, has said that he will contemplate taking the offer if the upgrade of Sohra and Mawmluh Cherra Cement Limited (MCCL), which is responsible for dictating the economy of the civil subdivision, is positively considered by the government.
“They did approach me. I have not given my word yet and it is still a negotiation. As you know, Sohra has two main issues – one is the MCCL and the other is the demand for a district. The government is not clear on these two issues,” Kharkongor rued.
When asked about his stance on the electoral offer since Assembly polls are at hand, Kharkongor said that contesting elections has to be issue-based.
“I need some sort of clarity on the issue of the upgrade of Sohra. It is a long-pending aspiration of the people of Sohra,” he said.
Stating that there is a lack of leadership in Mylliem and Chyne, Kharkongor said he needs to be clear about the major talking points about Sohra, with its upgrade being one of the top-most issues, before deciding on the NPP offer.
Kharkongor also accused the MLA and MDC of not being able to convince the state government for the upgrade of Sohra when Mairing was being upgraded to a district.
“In spite of them being leaders of two political parties, which are part of MDA government, they have not been able to convince the state government (for the upgrade),” Kharkongor said, lamenting that Sohra and Mairang could have been upgraded to districts at the same time.
It may be mentioned that Mairang was declared as the twelfth district in November last year.
With regard to MCCL, Kharkongor said that both Mylliem and Chyne have not taken keen interest or pressured the govt to restart the company, which was once responsible for the economy of Sohra.
“Let us wait and see if the process of upgrading is positive; then I may contest,” he said.