ADCs in Meghalaya to regain their glory only through BJP: Bernard N Marak

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaFebruary 13, 2025

BJP leader and Tura MDC Bernard N Marak on Thursday said that the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) in Meghalaya will regain its glory only through BJP. 

“BJP aims to strengthen the traditional system through local self-governance through duly elected bodies. BJP is not anti-tribal or Christian, it’s pro people party. Oppositions like Congress and other parties delayed the negotiation for more than 10 years during Congress rule. They also crippled the Autonomous District Councils in the past,” Marak said in a statement.

He said that the framework of the Councils was unique and were aimed to give Autonomous power to the Hill Tribals who resided in the Hill Districts. Our fore fathers never succumbed to the foreign authorities and the civilised classes. 

“The tribal rights were diluted only after Congress ruled the State. They were the ones who introduced Municipality in the Hill Districts violating article 243ZC of the Indian Constitution. They were the ones who handed over major departments, Forests and Revenue shares to the State and stripped Councils and weakened it in the past,” Marak said.

“However, the historic Garo agreement signed in 2014 in Delhi in the presence of the then Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh and Minister of State (Home) Shri Kiren Rijiju marked the turning point because BJP took the initiative to settle the decade old negotiation to strengthen the Autonomous District Councils in the Sixth Scheduled areas. Even now the authorities of the State delay the implementation of the Settlement,” he said while claiming that the BJP will ensure that this agreement is implemented in three District Councils of Meghalaya.