Pala says Congress pulled out of NPP-led EC after doing its job in regards to proposed Sixth Schedule amendment
Congress chief Vincent H Pala on Thursday said the party’s decision to pull out of the National People’s Party (NPP)-led executive committee in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) was after it has done its job in regards to the proposed amendment of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India.
He also slammed the United Democratic Party (UDP) for allegedly betraying the people of Khasi and Jaintia Hills region by withdrawing from the EC during the discussion on the proposed Sixth Schedule amendment.
Speaking to media persons, Pala rubbished the allegations that the Congress’ decision to pull out of the EC just ahead of the ADC polls was just ‘political gimmicks’ to fool the people.
“People know that the amendment of the Sixth Schedule is very important. We had to step in (support the NPP-led EC) because we don’t want to have administrator’s rule in the KHADC after the UDP withdrew (from the EC) at a time when the amendment of the Sixth Schedule was under discussion. The UDP betrayed the public of the Khasi and Jaintia Hills because they withdrew as they don’t have any sense of responsibility…,” he alleged.
“Since the situation demands that the amendment should be appropriate – and we have very experienced and veteran leaders like PN Syiem and Ronnie V Lyngdoh – so why should we not involve ourselves for the benefit of Khasi and Jaintia Hills. We are aware working with NPP is really difficult to make people understand but we thought our priority is to defend the people, not to satisfy the people. We have to defend them. People will realise that we are here to defend them,” Pala said.
The Congress president said that the party has pulled out of the EC after doing its job.
“Once our job regarding the recommendations is done and once matter is submitted to the home ministry and once after PN Syiem (as deputy CEM) went to MHA to give further suggestions and then they said the chapter is closed, we then withdrew (from the EC). It is not that we just withdraw like that,” he said while adding “We feel that we should not stay where we are no longer required. Our job is done, that is why we pulled out.”
“We try our level best as genuinely we want to help the people. We join (the EC) because of time and we left also because of time (after doing our job in regards to the) Sixth Schedule and amendment and recommendations,” he further stated.
Asked, Pala said, “I personally went to Delhi and Saleng himself wrote a letter – we told them. We have done our homework so the question of political gimmick doesn’t arise.”
“Until the government places it in parliament, naturally people will blame it like that. But once it is placed in parliament then only we will see whether it is fruitful or not,” he added.
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