SHILLONG, Nov 8: National People’s Party (NPP) state president WR Kharlukhi on Tuesday said Meghalaya would reach nowhere if efforts are made constantly to divide it.
His statement was in the context of the HSPDP’s demand for a separate Khasi-Jaintia state and the Garoland state demand getting stronger.
“The NPP was not built to divide people. It was built with the one mission of uniting the whole of Northeast under one political party. When we go to Delhi with 15-16 MPs, we demand and don’t beg,” Kharlukhi told reporters, adding, “If we go on dividing, then we will reach nowhere.”
Stating that the late PA Sangma was never for the bifurcation of the state and people always supported him, he said, “We are small tribes in the Northeast and if we keep on dividing ourselves, where will it lead us to?”
The Garoland State Movement Committee (GSMC) along with the National Federation for New States (NFNS) decided to stage a two-day dharna during the winter session of Parliament to raise the Garoland state demand.
Recently, thousands attended a rally in Tura organised to renew the demand. The different constituents of NFNS besides HSPDP president KP Pangniang, former CEM of GHADC PK Sangma, former Deputy CEM Augustine R Marak, assistant general secretary of Indigenous People Front of Tripura Charan Noatia and others took part in the rally.
The GSMC and HSPDP decided to work together towards achieving the goals of separate states.
TMC not as strong as projected: Commenting on the Trinamool Congress projecting itself as a force to reckon with in Garo Hills, Kharlukhi said the claims were all gas and no smoke.
“As far as my knowledge goes the TMC is not as strong as they have projected themselves to be in Garo Hills. We are working hard not just in Garo Hills but the entire state to secure absolute majority,” he said.
Stating that the number of people joining the NPP was increasing with each day, Kharlukhi reiterated that seven sitting MLAs from different parties will join the ruling party within two months.
He also made it clear that the party would not go for any pre-poll alliance.
Asked if the NPP would be comfortable stitching up an alliance with the Congress in case of a hung Assembly, he said, “We will see when the time comes.”
On the relentless attack by the opposition TMC with regard to illegalities and corruption, Kharlukhi said, “It is a joke and nothing else.”
“Elections are just round the corner and what do you think the opposition will do? They will resort to all means to project the government in poor light and act as a savior of the people,” he added.
