Taking father’s name issue led to toppling of Ardent’s EC in KHADC: Grace Mary Kharpuri

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaFebruary 14, 2025

Three-time sitting Nongshken MDC and NPP candidate Grace Mary Kharpuri has recalled that VPP president and Nongkrem legislator Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit was demanded to step down as chief executive member (CEM) of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) in 2014 because of taking the “father’s surname issue”. 

“During an executive committee (EC) meeting in 2014, the agenda for taking the father’s surname was brought for discussion and all of us outrightly rejected the agenda because it seeks to dilute our age-old tradition and culture (of the matrilineal society, which takes the mother’s surname),” Kharpuri, who is also an executive member (EM), said at an election campaign held at Nongshken on Thursday.

She said that the agenda was highly unacceptable by the then EC members and this led to the demand for the immediate stepping down of Basaiawmoit adding that they will continue with this attempt to propagate their agenda of taking the father’s name if they are elected in the district council.

“Therefore, how can you trust them (VPP) with such a responsibility to govern at the district council when their objective is to dilute the rich tradition and custom of the indigenous people,” Kharpuri added. 

She further slammed the VPP for threatening the traditional institutions and said, “Tomorrow if they come to power I am sure that they will not hesitate to bulldoze everybody.”

The three-time woman MDC further termed those who claimed to love the jaidbynriew as “cowards” and said Basaiawmoit was the first among the eight MDCs, who tender his resignation due to fear of disqualification following the passing of the dual post law by the Mukul Sangma-led Congress government.

“You have seen now the way they speak as if they are the only ones who knows everything but I want to ask you what made you fall into the trap of the law passed by the Dr Mukul Sangma?” she asked. 

“It was only PN Syiem, the sitting MDC of Mawkhar-Pynthorumkhrah, who stood firm and challenged the dual post law but those who shouted we love the jaidbynriew are ones who immediately resigned as MDC that time. Is this not a reflection that they are cowards?” Kharpuri said even as she urged the people not to trust such people, who only wants to be in power but shy away from responsibility in difficult times. 

Urging the people not to get swayed by the different allegations of the opposition parties, Kharpuri said, “Look at the development given by the NPP in the constituency. Therefore, I urge you to extend your full support to me and I assure I will continue to be there for you if given one more chance to be re-elected as your MDC.”

She also lauded the NPP government for taking bold decision to resolve the long pending boundary dispute with Assam. Six out of 12 areas of difference have been resolved so far.