SHILLONG, Feb 1: After accusing the TMC of favouring the “Bangladeshis”, the NPP on Wednesday fired yet another salvo at the Mamata Banerjee-led alleging it to be anti-tribal.
NPP spokesperson Bajop Pyngrope said while the conscience to conserve the cultural identity has been sustained through continuous efforts, there have been sleazy attempts by the “outsider party” TMC in recent times to undermine the legacy of the indigenous tribal communities of the state and the country.
“The TMC has always been anti-tribal, be it in Bengal where the tribals are always ignored, nationally where they never supported a tribal Presidential candidate or through derogatory remarks on tribal attires,” Pyngrope said.
Referring to the actions and remarks of the TMC leadership during the last Presidential elections, he recalled the party had supported the candidature of Yaswant Sinha despite knowing that Droupadi Murmu can become the first President of India from the tribal community.
He also recalled West Bengal Minister Akhil Giri’s objectionable comments on Murmu’s appearance and TMC leader Kirti Azad’s statement, mocking the indigenous Khasi attire. He lamented that the TMC tendered “soft apologies” and did not take any action against the duo.
The NPP leader accused the TMC of maintaining its anti-tribal stance. He said the party is making false promises and showing step-motherly love towards the tribals for votes. He pilloried the party on its promise for the inclusion of Khasi and Garo languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
“People of Meghalaya are intelligent enough to understand that support for the inclusion of Khasi and Garo languages is a mere political stunt with no real intention behind it. The TMC leader (Mamata Banerjee) is not even aware of the primary three tribes of our state. She was seen fumbling,” Pyngrope said.
