SHILLONG, June 21: The Congress is ready to support the NPP-led MDA 2.0 government provided “the BJP is out of the equation.”
State Congress president Vincent H Pala said the party will be ready to work with the NPP if the MDA alliance can remove the BJP.
“Minus the BJP, we are ready to support the NPP,” he said on Wednesday, pointing out the Congress is working with the NPP in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC).
Cabinet Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh, who is a former Congress leader, had recently asked the Congress to take a cue from the political development in the KHADC and support the MDA 2.0.
Pala defended his MDCs on their decision to support the NPP to form the new EC in the KHADC.
He denied the Congress had any role in toppling the UDP-led EC. He said it was a fight between the NPP and the UDP. After the state unit received a proposal from the NPP, it held a discussion and then, approval was sought from the AICC for the move, Pala said.
He stood by the Congress’ decision to work with the NPP. He said the Congress did not have much opportunity the last time to give its views on the amendment to the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. He said the Congress will now be able to put forward its views on the matter.
Accusing the BJP of trying to dilute the Sixth Schedule, the state Congress chief said the central government once brought the 125th Constitution Amendment Bill, 2019 and later, a committee on Home Affairs gave its recommendations to the Union government.
According to Pala, the Congress by virtue of being in the EC of the KHADC can influence the resolution on the Sixth Schedule to protect the indigenous rights and institutions, be it the election of Rangbah Shnongs or land tenure system.
He said the move of Ampareen Lyngdoh to work with the MDA government when she was with the Congress and the Congress’ decision to work together with the NPP in the KHADC are two different things. He said the party had discussed the matter and got the AICC’s approval to work in the KHADC.
“That time, we did not have a problem to work with the NPP but the BJP was there in the alliance and the Congress cannot work with the BJP,” Pala said.
He said this time, the MDCs are working with the NPP based on the approval from the AICC, adding the MLAs went on their own to work with the MDA government the last time.
Congress MDC and Opposition leader, Ronnie V Lyngdoh said the party has sacrificed its interest to protect the interest of the Jaitbynriew as it is more important.
No question of leaving Cong: Pala
The MPCC chief dismissed speculations that he would leave the Congress to join the NPP and contest next year’s Lok Sabha elections.
Stating that many have tried to convince him to join a different political party, he said he is not cheap and he had started his political career as a layman.
“I cannot be carried by any party and I will always remain with the Congress but if the Congress throws me out, this is a different matter,” Pala said.
He also said that he does not mind winning or losing the Lok Sabha polls but wants to ensure he does not surrender his rights and values.