CM all set to lead MDA delegation to pursue ILP demand with Centre

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaFebruary 17, 2020

SHILLONG: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma will lead a delegation of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government to seek an appointment with the union home minister Amit Shah on Tuesday, for pursuing the demand to implement the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in the state.

“We are going to Delhi tomorrow. All our coalition partners are going too. I have sought an appointment with the union home minister and I hope we will get the appointment,” Sangma told reporters at the sidelined of a function here on Monday.

The chief minister also informed that the appointment was sought for February 19 but the delegation is yet to get any confirmation so far.

It may be mentioned here that the union home minister Amit Shah had assured to meet the state delegation after the Delhi elections.

The Meghalaya Legislative Assembly had unanimously passed the resolution for urging the Centre to implement the ILP on December 19, last year following massive protests in the state against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019.

Later, a delegation of the United Progressive Front (UPF) also met the chief minister to remind him on the need to aggressively pursue the matter with the Centre.

The UPF formed by the People’s Democratic Front (PDF), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) and Independent MLA, is supporting the MDA government led by the National People’s Party (NPP).

UPF leader and PDF acting president Banteidor Lyngdoh told reporters after the meeting that they have made their stand clear to the chief minister.

He said the delegation has also expressed its concern over the delay of the Centre to give its response on the issue. According to him, the union home minister had first assured to meet the state delegation after Christmas but unfortunately that has not happen till now.

“However, the CM informed that tomorrow all of us will go to Delhi to pursue the ILP resolution with the Centre,” Lyngdoh said.

Asked, the PDF leader said that they will wait for the outcome of the proposed meeting before taking a call on the matter adding “at this point, we have every reason to hope that he (Shah) will give us the appointment to discuss on the ILP issue.”

On the demand made by the pro-ILP groups for the ministers and MLAs to stage protest in New Delhi, Lyngdoh however said that is their opinion but the MDA government is firm on its decision to take up the matter with the Centre.