SHILLONG, DEC 12: The opposition Hill State People Democratic Party (HSPDP) chief Ardent Basaiawmoit today accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for attempting to bring “unity in uniformity” in the country.
“Despite India is a country of unity in diversity, the BJP however is trying to make it into a country of unity in uniformity,” Basaiawmoit while addressing at a public rally attended by thousands of party supporters from across the Khasi-Jaintia Hills region in the city here.
He also charged the BJP of being a political frontier of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to fulfil its agenda of achieving one nation, one culture and one religion besides attempting to do away with Article 370 provided by the Constitution for Jammu & Kashmir.
Assuring the people that the party if voted to power in 2018, would push the Centre for inclusion of Meghalaya under the special provision of Article 371 of the Indian Constitution, Basaiawmoit said, “We want that this should also be extended to the state as it was done in the case of other NE states which includes Nagaland (371 A) and Mizoram (371 G).”
According to him, Article 371 is a special provision which empowers the state to protect the custom, practice, land, administration of justice and others to ensure no acts of Parliament can interfere.
Rubbishing the allegation that the party by demanding this special provision seeks to do away with the autonomous district councils (ADCs) in the state, Basaiawmoit said, “If this is so, then why is it that the three ADCs still exist in Mizoram?”
Referring to the ban on coal mining, limestone and others, the HSPDP chief said the demand for such special provision to be extended to Meghalaya will further empower the people and their rights over the land.
He recalled that in 1956, the then Khasi-Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council had made efforts to legislate the land transfer Act but it was dismissed by the Supreme Court which clearly stated that the subject does not fall under its jurisdiction.
“It was only when we got statehood in 1972 the Act could be finally passed and with this demand we seek to further strengthen the existing land transfer Act of the state,” he added.
Basaiawmoit further expressed confidence that the HSPDP and UDP alliance will win more seats in the upcoming 2018 Assembly elections to ensure that a regional force-led government is formed in the state.
“Our main objective is to bring government to be led by the regional political parties and ensure that national political parties does not get a chance to rule in the state,” he said while expressing hope that the people of the state will surely support this endeavour.
He said that the HSPDP also assured to bring good and corruption free governance besides strengthen the financial position of the state.
Accusing the present ruling Congress-led state government of filling the pockets of a few, Basaiawmoit said that the new government to be formed by the regional forces will ensure that business tycoons no longer suck the wealth of the state.
Basaiawmoit also slammed the government for failing to question the wealth accumulated by ex-bureaucrats especially those who are in the mood of contesting the elections.
“How is it that the state government is allowing an individual who is an ex-government employee (chief engineer) in some department to simply donate Rs 30 lakh for developmental activity? How can an individual acquire so much wealth,” he said.
Coming to the hardships faced by the people of the state due to ban on coal mining and others, the HSPDP chief also alleged that instead of rehabilitating them, the state government is allowing MLAs and bureaucrats to take various contract works for themselves.
Stating that the HSPDP is not interested in wooing voters by using money power during election time, he said, “We do not have money but we are also not scared of money power because the only thing we do is educate voters for them to make informed decision.”
On the allegation that by forging a pre-poll alliance, he wants to become a chief minister, Basaiawmoit said, “I have never dream of becoming the chief minister but if the people give their mandate I think no one will dare reject that.”
“I am also not desparate to win but I am desparate to protect the indigenous community and people. Is it a crime to love my people and the indigenous community. Therefore there is no grand design (pre-poll alliance) to become the chief minister of the state,” he said.
Earlier while speaking at the rally, HSPDP vice president and MLA PK Pangniang slammed the Congress party for its failure to resolve the age-old boundary dispute with Assam.
Referring to the 12 areas of difference, he said that the state is losing 2700 sq km out of which 421 sq km is in his constituency.
Urging voters to defy power money, a party candidate from East Jaintia Hills Defender Pakem said that during election time, politician buy voters for Rs 500 or Rs 5,000 but when people approach them for help, they would charge Rs 3 lakh for lower posts and Rs 5 lakh for officer posts in government department.
By Our Reporter
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