Shillong, October 17: Ranikor MLA and MDC Pius Marweiñ has reaffirmed his commitment to pursuing Meghalaya’s long-pending demands with the Central Government following his decision to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) along with seven other legislators.
In a press statement issued on Saturday, Marweiñ thanked Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma for recognising the merger of the eight legislators with the BJP as legally valid under the provisions of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution. He said the decision to join the BJP was not an easy one, particularly given Meghalaya’s position as a small state and the challenges involved in negotiating important issues with the Central Government.
Marweiñ, who has been elected twice as an MLA and MDC and has been involved in politics for more than two decades, said fulfilling commitments made to the people often becomes difficult when the issues concerned fall under central legislation. He maintained that such challenges become even greater when elected representatives are not associated with the political party governing at the Centre.
However, Marweiñ said the BJP’s central leadership had given the eight legislators a patient hearing on several crucial issues concerning Meghalaya. He identified five major demands raised during their discussions with the central leadership, including the implementation of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA), inclusion of the Khasi and Garo languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, issues relating to coal mining, relocation of the Dalit Sikh community and granting minority status to Seng Khasi and Seiñ Raij.
According to Marweiñ, several rounds of discussions were held in New Delhi, during which Union Home Minister Amit Shah gave assurances regarding all five demands. He claimed that these assurances played a decisive role in convincing the eight legislators to join the BJP under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Marweiñ said the legislators had placed their trust in the assurances given by the Union Home Minister and expressed confidence that the Central Government would take steps to address the issues raised. He also appreciated the accessibility of the BJP’s central leadership, claiming that securing meetings with Union Ministers had become easier compared to the period when the Congress was in power at the Centre.
The Ranikor legislator thanked BJP MP and Northeast in-charge Sambit Patra for facilitating discussions with the central leadership and bringing Meghalaya’s concerns to the attention of the ministries concerned. Expressing his willingness to work closely with the BJP’s National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners in Meghalaya, particularly Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, Marweiñ said cooperation among political leaders was essential to accelerate development in the state.
He informed that the eight BJP legislators would soon visit New Delhi to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other Union Ministers to pursue various developmental projects for Meghalaya. Marweiñ further said improving the living conditions of people in rural areas would remain among his top priorities. He stressed the need to create greater awareness among rural communities about various Central Government schemes and welfare benefits to ensure that eligible beneficiaries could avail themselves of the opportunities.
The MLA maintained that the decision to join the BJP was guided by the objective of securing greater support from the Centre to address Meghalaya’s longstanding concerns and accelerate development, particularly in rural and underserved areas. He reiterated his commitment to working towards fulfilling the promises made to the people and ensuring that Meghalaya’s key demands receive due attention from the Central Government.
