Congress to win majority of seats in two ADCs as people are fed up with present Govt: Pala

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJanuary 15, 2025

Congress chief Vincent H Pala on Tuesday expressed confidence that the party would win a majority of seats in the upcoming elections to the two autonomous district councils (ADCs) in Khasi and Jaintia regions, which are slated to be held on February 21.

He claimed that the people are looking up to the Congress as the only alternative because they are fed up with the present government.

“I am confident that the party will win this election. We will cross 16-17 seats in KHADC. In JHADC too, I have no doubt that the majority of our candidates will win because people are fed up with this present government,” Pala told reporters after a meeting organized for introducing 18 candidates for the JHADC polls, at Thadlaskein in West Jaintia Hills District.

Urging the people of Jaintia Hills to repose their faith in the party, he said that the Congress is the only alternative for the people.

“Therefore, we urge the voters to decide wisely,” Pala said.

 Stating that the party is fielding both old and new faces for the ADC polls, the Congress chief said, “We need experienced people, who are well versed with law making, rich customs and traditions, we don’t need people, who joined politics to expand their wealth.”

Slamming at the failures of the outgoing NPP-led executive committee in JHADC, Pala said employees of the council are not getting their salaries and this has to a great extent disrupted its smooth functioning.

“People are not working like the way they should because they are not getting paid. Many are manipulating documents in the district council. Therefore people are looking up to the Congress as there is no alternative. Other small parties only come and make big promises but they can never fulfil them,” he said.

He further warned that if the Sixth Schedule is weak, it will weaken the indigenous community and said, “Therefore, we require the resolution of the district councils for amending the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India, that will further protect the rights and interest of the indigenous people.”

Hitting hard at the VPP for allegedly threatening the party candidates while referring to the incident at Nartiang constituency, Pala also criticized the VPP leader for trying to underestimate the people of Jaintia Hills by not allowing the people to sing “Ri Jaintia, Ri Jaintia” at a massive political campaign during the last MP election.

“This is a signal that they are underestimating us,” he said while adding “Slowly and steadily, we are being sidelined despite having our own identity, having separate district councils and districts and allotments because we elect leaders, who do not have the capacity to lead. Therefore, I urge the people to decide wisely. We should not believe those people, who are preaching religion in political campaigns, who assure employment, but don’t fulfil it. We should not get swayed by their lip service but we should have principles. Therefore, I urge the people to give Congress a chance.”

Pala also strongly condemned the government for not including Jaintia language in the State Anthem.