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Former Umroi MDC exposes Congress’s ‘inconsistencies’

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Our Bureau

NONGPOH/SHILLONG, Jan 31: Coming clean on his decision to support former Umroi MLA and senior politician George B Lyngdoh, former MDC from Umroi Arbinus Lyngdoh launched a scathing criticism against Congress leadership, accusing the party’s decision-makers of bypassing their own established rules and sidelining dedicated members like himself.
This ultimately forced him and his supporters to leave the party and extend full support to George.
Arbinus had accompanied George, who is running as an Independent in the upcoming elections, during his nomination filing on Friday.
Expressing his disappointment, Arbinus stated that despite his relentless efforts to strengthen the Congress in Umroi constituency and even secure a party candidate for Mawhati constituency, the party leadership disregarded his contributions. What pained him the most, he said, was that despite his years of hard work, the party leadership unceremoniously denied him the ticket and instead awarded it to MD Syiem — a person who was not even affiliated with the party. Moreover, he pointed out that Syiem filed his nomination after the party had already set its deadline for nominations, exposing the internal inconsistencies within the Congress leadership.
Arbinus Lyngdoh further explained that his decision to support George B Lyngdoh was based on the latter’s experience, competence, and strong leadership qualities. He emphasised that there are very few MLAs who can match George’s capabilities, given his past tenure as a legislator.
Additionally, he clarified to the public that contrary to speculation, George B Lyngdoh did not leave the Congress voluntarily but was, in fact, expelled by the party.
It may be mentioned that former Umroi MLA George B Lyngdoh, on Friday, became the first candidate to file papers among all five constituencies of Ri-Bhoi.
Speaking to the media after submitting his papers, George B Lyngdoh, a well-respected leader in the state, outlined his priorities emphasising critical issues related to laws enacted since the establishment of the district councils, particularly those concerning Trading and Labour licences that impact employment opportunities for locals.
On the implementation of newly amended laws by the Council, Lyngdoh stressed on proper execution, stating that merely enacting laws without enforcement renders them ineffective.
With regard to his decision to contest as an Independent, Lyngdoh conveyed his disillusionment with political parties and their leadership, adding that discussion or decision of two or three leaders often leads to the downfall of parties and betray the trust of the electorate.
Three candidates from the NPP — Sosthenes Sohtun from Jirang, Rona Khymdeit from Nongpoh, and Macdalyne Sawkmie Mawlong from Umsning — also submitted their papers.
From the UDP, five candidates filed their nomination including Balajied Rani from Nongpoh, Lee Bareh from Jirang, Eddie G Kharbani from Umsning, James Syliang from Mawhati, and Naphishisha Marwein from Umroi constituency.
Congress promises to bolster Sixth Schedule
The Congress has promised to strengthen the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, through proper implementation of its provisions, if it manages to form the Executive Committee (EC) in the KHADC.
“It is wrong to say that the Sixth Schedule is weak. It is the way we implement it which makes it weaker. We hope to strengthen the provisions of the Sixth Schedule further, if we are elected,” party candidate from Laitumkhrah-Malki, Manuel Badwar, told reporters on Friday after submitting his nomination papers at ISBT, Mawlai Mawiong.
On similar lines, Congress candidate from Mylliem, Banphira Basaiawmoit, referred to Uttarakhand’s case wherein its government decided to implement the Uniform Civil Code with exemptions for Scheduled Tribes (STs) and certain protected communities.
“In view of this development, it is very critical that we need to come up with stringent legislation through the District Council to protect the rights, culture and practices of the indigenous tribes,” Basaiawmoit said.
Badwar also stressed on the need to review the building permission issued by the Council in rural areas. “We cannot adopt the same yardstick like MUDA in rural areas. I am not saying that there is no need to have building permission. But we need to simplify the process so that the rural populace is not harassed,” he said.
Training guns on the NPP, he alleged that the ruling party distributed money to people with the garb of FOCUS scheme during the 2023 Assembly elections. He claimed that the NPP provided financial assistance to the people of Laitumkhrah through the FOCUS scheme.
This time, there is distribution of CGI sheets and water tanks to woo the voters, Badwar claimed. He, however, hoped that the people will emancipate themselves from modern slavery of cash and kind over fair and just candidate.
Badwar brushed aside any talk of a tough contest from sitting MDC Fantin Lakadong stating that the people will decide whom they want to vote for.
It may be noted that two Congress candidates — Gerald Shullai from Jaiaw and Wanseng Jyrwa from Mawlai — also filed their nominations on Friday.
Echoing Congress’s Manuel Badwar’s sentiments, sitting MDC from Mawlai, Teibor Lyngdoh said the power lies with the people.
Talking to reporters after filing his nomination as an independent candidate on Friday, Pathaw said that the people will judge the political parties for their achievements as well as the individual candidates on their contributions.
Asked if the VPP wave prevails in the constituency, Pathaw said every election is different.
It may be mentioned that the NPP has not announced any candidate from Mawlai for the KHADC polls after Pathaw’s resignation.
In father’s footsteps
Former Home Minister Late HDR Lyngdoh’s son, Nathaniel Rymmai, filed his nomination on Friday on a Congress ticket, while emphasising that he is contesting the KHADC polls to follow in his father’s footsteps.
Although Late HDR Lyngdoh had joined the UDP before passing away, Rymmai’s decision to contest from Congress was based on the people’s counsel and the long association of his family with the party. He also played down a query on his cousin, UDP’s Synshar Kupar Roy Lyngdoh, contesting from the same constituency, stating that anyone keen to contest polls can do so in a democracy.
Meanwhile, former Sohiong MLA, Samlin Malngiang from NPP, after filing his papers, said his decision to contest the upcoming election was following the appeal of the party and sitting MDC Sherbor Mawlong.
Ricky Shullai to ride solo
Former MDC from Laban-Mawprem, Ricky Shullai, on Friday, said there has been no official communication from any political party to pledge support to his candidature.
Speaking to reporters after filing his nomination as an Independent, Shullai, however, revealed that one of the political parties had approached him to contest from their side, which he had swiftly declined.
Interestingly, both Congress and NPP have not fielded candidates from Laban-Mawprem constituency.
Asked to comment on the absence of his uncle and senior BJP leader, Sanbor Shullai, from his nomination filing ceremony, he said his uncle’s blessings for him are always present.
He gave Sanbor the credit for the opportunity to serve as the MDC of Laban Mawprem after the by-election in 2016, but asserted that he will now function independently to serve the people.

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