By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 7: The UDP on Thursday affirmed that it would continue to press the Centre for inclusion of the Khasi and Garo languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
“This is a long pending issue. The Assembly had passed a resolution in this regard but the demand is yet to materialise,” UDP president Metbah Lyngdoh said.
Recalling the participation of its member in a sit-in in New Delhi organised by the Khasi Authors’ Society, the UDP chief said the party will continue to support the cause until the demand is fulfilled.
He also asserted that that the UDP would continue to pursue all other pending issues.
Lyngdoh, who is a former Speaker of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, said he is looking forward to the timely completion of the new Assembly building. “I gave my heart and soul to complete the project on time but unfortunately the dome collapsed,” he recalled.
Following a recent inspection-cum-review meeting at Mawdiangdiang, Assembly Speaker Thomas Sangma said that a deadline has been set to complete the construction of the new Assembly building by July or August of 2024.
Separate state issue:
UDP faces GH dilemma
UDP working president Titosstarwell Chyne has admitted that his party is yet to discuss the idea of a separate Khasi-Jaintia state due to the party’s presence in the Garo Hills region.
Speaking with The Shillong Times on Thursday, Chyne also emphasised on the party’s presence in Garo Hills and that the western region of the state has previously produced several of the party’s MLAs.
“Our foundation is still incredibly strong today. We still have an MDC from the party in the GHADC,” he declared, explaining the reason behind the party’s unwillingness to commit to the separate state demand.
The working president of the UDP acknowledged that the HSPDP, an ally of the party operating under the Regional Democratic Alliance (RDA) banner, views the issue of Khasi-Jaintia State as one of its primary concerns.
He declared, “Until this is officially discussed in the party, I would not be able to say much on this issue.”
Nonetheless, Chyne stated that the party will support the HSPDP on matters of common concern and public importance.
“I agree with HSPDP president KP Pangniang’s viewpoint that an alliance between two parties shouldn’t be limited to the election cycle,” he said.
Pangniang had earlier stated that while the UDP might support the HSPDP’s demand for a separate Khasi-Jaintia state eventually, it would not do so right away.
“We must be considerate of one another’s worries. The leaders of the party will hold a formal discussion to decide which issues to address jointly and which to address separately,” according to Pangniang.
It is relevant to mention that the HSPDP has chosen to support the UDP candidate for the Shillong parliamentary seat. The candidate is yet to be selected.