SHILLONG, May 30: The NPP has now dared the VPP to debate the reservation policy but in a setting different from the one the regional party is seeking.
Referring to a statement by the VPP’s Ricky AJ Syngkon in The Shillong Times that he shied away from a debate, the NPP’s state president and Rajya Sabha member, WR Kharlukhi said, “I read about the VPP’s debate challenge. I suggest organising it at the National Law University (NLU) since the issue is constitutional.”
He said that one DR Marbaniang from St. Anthony’s College had called him on May 19.
“He said that the VPP wants to debate with me at the college on May 20. I told him to inform the VPP to publish the challenge in the papers but nothing was done,” Kharlukhi said.
He said the policy merits a panel discussion more than a debate. “The crux of the matter is that reservation should not be beyond 50% according to a resolution on January 12, 1972, which touches clause 4 of Article 16 of the Constitution as well as a Supreme Court ruling of 1992,” Kharlukhi said.
“This is a constitutional debate. Since you have challenged me, I have every right to set the agenda and I hope you have the confidence to accept it,” he said.
Kharlukhi pointed out that neither he nor VPP spokesperson Batskhem Myrboh has a law degree.
“I would suggest a retired judge from the Northeast, a former Chief Justice of India turned MP preferably, as the judge,” he said.
“As a moderator, it would be nice if the vice-chancellor of the NGU agrees (to be the judge) and if not, a senior and renowned lawyer of the state,” he said.
Kharlukhi said Myrboh and his colleagues in Synod College can work out the details of the debate. “I think it is high time that the people know what is happening around us and what will be the legal consequences,” he added.
“If we organise it successfully, we should have such debates before every election,” he said.
