By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 18: The electoral battle for the Shillong parliamentary constituency will be fought on issues ranging from youth empowerment to highlighting the rights of the tribals in Parliament and development of the state.
Some of the candidates for the Shillong seat gathered on Monday to share their visions and aspirations at a symposium on ‘Parliamentary Politics and Political Participation’ held at Sankardev College.
Among the participants were Robertjune Kharjahrin of the Regional Democratic Alliance comprising the UDP and HSPDP, Ricky AJ Syngkon of the Voice of the People Party (VPP), and independent candidate Lakhon Kma apart from Congress spokesperson Manuel Badwar and his BJP counterpart Mariahom Kharkrang.
NPP candidate Ampareen Lyngdoh and Lok Sabha member and Congress candidate Vincent H. Pala were conspicuous by their absence.
Kma said he opted to contest as an independent as he disagrees with the ideologies of the political parties. Citing GG Swell, who won four times as an independent candidate, he said: “Out of the 16 MPs from the Shillong parliamentary seat, 6 have been independent.”
He vowed to fight the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre, which he said has been trying to meddle with the social fabric of the country. “You need to send somebody who can stand on the floor of Parliament alone and tell them not to play with the Constitution,” he added.
He said he aims to be the voice of the seven Khasi-Jaintia Hills districts in Parliament.
Syngkon, also a professor, said he chose politics because of the VPP’s focus on clean politics. He underlined the need for central institutions to address the state’s issues, particularly education and employment for tribal communities. He pledged to advocate youth empowerment and the development of the state if elected. “Our state is endowed with natural, mineral, water, and human resources. But where are we after 52 years? The reports are sad and depressing; we are the poorest state,” he said. “We should prepare our youth, and if I am elected, we shall make sure that the state’s problems are noticed by the central institutions for necessary action,” he said.
Badwar outlined five promises of Congress and urged the electorate to oust the BJP government, citing concerns over its impact on the nation’s social fabric. He highlighted Congress’s objectives – address the rise of third-party employment in government institutions and the need to counter divisive forces that fuel communal tensions.
“Forget about the Hindu-Muslim divide. Meiteis and Kukis, Khasis and Garos are now pointing fingers at each other. This has set a dangerous precedent,” he said.
Badwar underscored the economic disparity and advocated fair wages for fresh graduates, proposing a minimum monthly pay of Rs 8,500 to ensure financial stability. He also addressed issues of job security, social security, and the contractual system of work, particularly in government positions.
Kharjahrin stressed the implementation of the Inner Line Permit system and the inclusion of Khasi and Garo languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. “We also want to protect the secular fabric of India, as mandated in the Constitution,” he said.
He said the RDA’s priority is to preserve and protect the culture of the indigenous people and settle the boundary dispute with Assam and between India and Bangladesh. “We want the Sixth Schedule to be strengthened and the powers of the district councils enhanced,” he said.
Kharkrang defended the BJP’s policies and countered accusations that it is communal. He highlighted the positive contributions of the BJP, particularly in economic development, citing tough decisions made to steer India through the challenges of the pandemic.
He emphasized the BJP’s commitment to meritocracy, contrasting it with the practice of dynastic politics in the grand old party. He asserted that the BJP provides equal opportunities to all, without favouring candidates based on familial ties.