Shillong, Sept 14: After quitting United Democratic Party (UDP John Filmore Kharshiïng officially joined the Indian National Congress (INC) at ceremony held Friday at the Congress Bhavan where senior Congress member and Chief Adviser to the Government DD Lapang, along with Chief Minister Mukul Sangma welcomed him to the party.
Among the dignitaries, senior members AH Scot Lyngdoh, Roshan Warjri, OL Nongtdu as well as Urban Affairs Minister M Ampareen Lyngdoh were also present.
John F Kharshiïng- who spearheaded the movement for constitutional recognition of the traditional institutions in Meghalaya, and as active campaigner for empowering traditional institutions further as well as ardent advocate for inclusion of the ‘Instrument of Accession” into the Constitution- said, “I believe that only the Congress can deliver what we have been fighting for since many years. That is the empowerment of the indigenous people.”
Elaborating on the inclusion of the ‘Instrument of Accession’ into the Constitution, Kharshiïng said, “After pursuing the matter for so long, it was only this year that it has been moved forward in that the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes which is a positive step as it has written to the Union ministry of Tribal Affairs to take appropriate action.”
“This obviously is an indication of the positive response by the central government to the issue and has convinced me that the Congress party is seriously committed to addressing this long pending demand of the indigenous people of the State,” Kharshiïng said.
John F Kharshiïng who said that his decision of joining the Congress was taken after ‘consulting all concerned’ and in the light of the fact that ‘the party has wide acceptability in the State. Several traditional heads including Syiems and Dolois (traditional chieftains) were also present at the ceremony.
Known as Bah John to many, he holds the post of Chairman of the Grand Council of Chiefs of Meghalaya, Chairman of Ka Dorbar Ki Khlieh Nongsynshar Ka Ri Hynñiewtrep, Spokesperson for the Federation of Khasi States, and Co-chairman of Meghalaya State Planning Board.-By Our Reporter
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