SHILLONG, April 21: The KSU and FKJGP on Sunday said they expect the new Members of Parliament from Shillong and Tura to be able to articulate and highlight the issues afflicting the state and its people.
KSU president Lambokstarwell Marngar said the union had not aligned with any political party. “We did not back any candidate. What we expect from the newly-elected MP is that he/she will raise issues afflicting the state whether it is the implementation of the ILP, resolution of the long-pending interstate border and the inclusion of the Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution,” Marngar said.
He said that the MP new should impress upon the Centre to create policy that will benefit the youth, especially creation of jobs to address the problem of unemployment.
“We expect the new MP to deliver. We do not want to see an MP who fails to deliver in the coming five years,” the KSU president said, making it clear that the issues they would be raising in the Lok Sabha should reflect the sentiments and feelings of the indigenous Khasi community.
Echoing Marngar, FKJGP president Dundee Cliff Khongsit said the new MP should raise objections on any bill(s) introduced in the Parliament if it goes against the interests of the indigenous communities of the state.
“We have seen how the Centre passed the CAB (now CAA) despite our opposition. We know that the BJP-led NDA Government will implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) if it is voted back to power,” Khongsit said.
He said pressure groups can only take the lead to organise protests against anti-people policy of the Centre, but it is the responsibility of the MP to raise the state’s voice in the Parliament.
