Syiem unfolds plan to launch new party

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, NOV 25: Suspended Congress legislator and MDC Pynshngainlang N Syiem launched the “Campaign for Change” which is also a precursor of his intention of launching a new political party before the 2018 assembly election.

It is small wonder that the “Campaign for Change” aims at bringing about changes in political, social and economic system in the state.

For some time now, there have been murmurs in political circle that the Congress rebel who refused to toe the line of the state Congress and chief minister Mukul Sangma was preparing groundwork for launching of the new political party in the state.

The Campaign for Change is have young educated students and politicians as its member and they will garner views of people cutting across the social spectrum on issues affecting the state before deciding to launch a party.

Syiem, of course, did not fight shy of admitting that the campaign may pave the way for formation of a new political party ahead of the 2018 state elections. He, however,  said decision for launching the party will be taken after getting “feedbacks”.

“The decision to form a new political party or to support a particular party will largely depend on the opinion of the people,” Syiem told reporters at the launch of the campaign in the city on Friday.

Spelling out the objectives of the three-month long campaign with the motto– “Change to your expectation”, Syiem said, “We aimed at bringing the people under one platform to discuss various political, social and economic issues.”

Stating there is a need for strong political will to bring about such changes, Syiem, who is the KHADC chief executive member, said the campaign will discuss various problems faced by the people including unemployment, farming, tourism, power and others.

Syiem buttressed his argument on the need for a new political party by stating that since the state attained statehood in 1972 it is yet to a=have policy to fully protect the interest of the tribal. He said, “We also have the Sixth Schedule but we are yet to come up with important legislations.”

Stating that the campaign would also underlined the need for political parties to involve the people in projecting a leader, who will lead the state, Syiem said, “Interestingly during election, the people elects the MLAs but when it comes to electing the leader of the house (chief minister) it is the MLAs.”

Syiem lamented that such system where people have not role in the making of the chief minister has spoiled the objective of the people’s mandate.”

Syiem said, “Therefore we would appeal to all political parties to project a leader from their party who is capable of leading the state and allow the people of the state to decide.”

The three month long campaign will include public meetings, general discussions and campaign through social media. The official website of the campaign was also launched. Syiem said every individual will have the opportunity to share their views, which will be carried along during the campaign.