SHILLONG, JUNE 11: NPP national vice president James K Sangma was declared elected unopposed to the Meghalaya Rajya Sabha seat Thursday evening after no other candidate remained in the contest past the 3pm withdrawal deadline.
Sangma received his certificate of election from the returning officer shortly after the process closed.
“I met the returning officer after the 3pm withdrawal deadline today and have now received my certificate of election,” he said.
The former MLA described the responsibility as both humbling and significant.
“I feel honoured to be shouldering this responsibility. Representing Meghalaya in the Upper House is a big responsibility, and I intend to carry it out with full dedication and sincerity,” Sangma said.
He flagged the challenge of limited representation for Northeastern states in Parliament and said he would fight for greater speaking time.
“It is always a challenge for the North East because of fewer numbers. Getting an opportunity to express yourself on a representative basis is difficult. But I will need persistence and patience, and I will keep pressing for more time to be allotted,” he said.
“My endeavour will be to stress that the North East needs more talking room, more space and more time in Parliament,” he added. Sangma outlined his key priorities for the state. Top of the list was constitutional recognition for Khasi and Garo.
“From Meghalaya’s perspective, we are pushing for inclusion of Khasi and Garo languages in the Eighth Schedule,” he said. He also committed to taking up the Assembly’s resolution on the Inner Line Permit in the Rajya Sabha. “ILP is an issue passed by the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly as a resolution. It is my bounden duty as the state’s representative to carry that resolution forward so it finds a voice in the halls of the Rajya Sabha. Yes, I will pursue this matter,” he said.
The MP-elect said he would also act as a bridge between Meghalaya and central ministries to push implementation of government schemes. “As an MP I can also play a role in New Delhi where government programmes and schemes can be pursued with the respective departments. I will offer my services to the state government for those matters,” Sangma said. He dismissed speculation of rifts within the MDA over his nomination.
“That is completely wrong. On nomination day you saw I was accompanied not just by NPP MLAs but by our alliance partners as well. There may be differences of opinion, that is healthy in a democratic alliance. But eventually the decision was made and there is unanimity in support,” he said. Sangma said his yardstick in Parliament would be Meghalaya’s interest.
“My guiding principle will be what is in the best interest of our people and our state. Every issue I take up will be guided by that,” he said.
By Our Reporter
