Shillong, October 29: Nongpoh MLA Mayralborn Syiem on Thursday expressed confidence that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would address several long-pending issues concerning Meghalaya, while asserting that the eight former United Democratic Party (UDP) legislators who joined the BJP would decide their future course of action if their demands remain unfulfilled.
Speaking to reporters, Syiem said the decision to join the BJP was based on five key issues that the legislators want resolved before the 2028 Assembly elections. These include the inclusion of Khasi and Garo languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), simplification and lifting of restrictions on coal mining, the return of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Amendment Bill, 2020, and the relocation of residents of Harijan Colony from Them Iew Mawlong.
Responding to questions about the BJP’s earlier promise to lift the coal mining ban within 180 days, Syiem said the assurance was made before the 2023 Assembly elections, when he was not involved in discussions with the BJP leadership. “Now that we are at the helm of affairs, I am very confident and optimistic they will address these issues, keeping in mind the dynamics of politics in the Northeast,” he said.
Asked what the eight legislators would do if the BJP failed to fulfil their demands, Syiem said they would take an appropriate decision when the time comes. “If it is not fulfilled, we will take a decision in due course. Time will tell. In politics there is always a way to go. There is no question of nowhere to go, there is always everywhere to go,” he stated.
Explaining the decision to switch political allegiance, Syiem said the eight legislators believed that joining the BJP would provide them with a stronger platform to pursue issues that have remained unresolved for years. He pointed out that the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly had passed a resolution on September 27, 2018, seeking the inclusion of Khasi and Garo languages in the Eighth Schedule, but no significant progress had been made.
Syiem maintained that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre was in a position to address these concerns. “We as a group of eight felt let us break the ice which has been lingering so long so that issues are fulfilled in due course. That is the ground for joining BJP. We have nothing against the UDP or its leadership,” he said.
On concerns that the FCRA was anti-Christian, Syiem rejected the allegation and challenged critics to identify provisions that discriminate against the Christian community. He maintained that the requirement for organisations receiving foreign contributions to comply with regulatory procedures was intended to ensure transparency and accountability rather than target any particular religion.
Syiem, however, acknowledged the difficulties faced by religious institutions, societies and non-governmental organisations in complying with FCRA requirements. He said the procedures should be simplified, including through online services and the possible establishment of a regional facilitation centre in Guwahati, to reduce the need for organisations to travel to New Delhi. “As a true Christian and believer, I have full faith that by being in BJP we can fight more and protect Christian community,” he said. He further argued that accountability in the utilisation of foreign contributions was necessary for organisations belonging to all religious communities, including Christians, Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs.
Syiem also stressed that development and unemployment were among the important issues requiring attention, while maintaining that concerns surrounding the FCRA should be addressed through constructive engagement with the Central government.
Meanwhile, responding to allegations that he had failed to consult his constituents before joining the BJP, Syiem rejected the claims and maintained that consultations were conducted both before and after his decision. “Consultation is every day. I invite you to come to my place every morning, you will see how I conduct consultation. I had a consultation before and after joining,” he said.
Syiem reiterated that the decision of the eight former UDP legislators to join the BJP was driven by their determination to secure solutions to Meghalaya’s long-standing concerns rather than any differences with their former party or its leadership.
