By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 24: A controversy has erupted over the inclusion of Meghalaya State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MSCPCR) Chairperson Agatha K. Sangma’s name in the list of star campaigners for the National People’s Party (NPP) ahead of the Assam Legislative Assembly elections and a by-election in Nagaland.
According to the list submitted to the Election Commission of India (ECI) by NPP national general secretary Abhaya Kashyap on March 22, Agatha’s name features along with prominent party leaders, including Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and his wife Mehtab Chandee A. Sangma, Deputy Chief Ministers Prestone Tynsong and Sniawbhalang Dhar, senior party leader James P.K. Sangma, besides others.
The development has raised concerns, as the MSCPCR chairperson holds a statutory and quasi-judicial position tasked with safeguarding child rights.
Observers note that active participation of the MSCPCR chairperson in political campaigning could be seen as incompatible with the neutrality and impartiality expected of such offices, potentially violating established norms governing statutory authorities.
The issue has drawn parallels with a previous incident involving former Meghalaya State Commission for Women (MSCW) chairperson Phidalia Toi, who was removed from her post for allegedly associating with political activities during the 2023 Assembly elections in support of NPP candidate Wailadmiki Shylla.
Former Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh had then stated that Toi’s removal was based on violations of the MSCW Act, 2005.
