BJP urges state authorities to ensure free and fair conduct of GHADC polls

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaApril 8, 2021

BJP has asked the state authorities not to allow calling of bandhs by the NGOs as it is in violation of the High Court order and to ensure free and fair conduct of elections to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC).

Polling will be held on April 12.

“Calling a bandh is banned by the High Court…Authorities should make sure that the groups calling bandh should refrain from committing such crime or strong action should be taken against the violation of the court order,” BJP state vice president Bernard N Marak said in a statement issued on Thursday.

Stating that the non tribal candidates are contesting in the plain areas but every year NGOs disturb the Hill areas during GHADC election, Marak said, “(We) assures the agitating NGOs that BJP will frame the required rules like KHADC as per the provisions of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution.”

He however added, “It is not fair that the weaker section of the society becomes easy prey to these NGOs during GHADC election. They do this every five year before election with the sole motive to disturb the Hill voters.”

The BJP leader said that the NGOs should have pressurised the Executive Committee of GHADC to frame rules which would have been a solution.

“New rules need to be framed to solve this issue and BJP will take up this matter in the new Executive Committee therefore no bandh should be allowed by the authorities,” he assured.