JOWAI : Former Rajya Sabha MP and former National People’s Party (NPP) state president Dr Wanweiroy Kharlukhi has urged voters to support Congress candidate Vincent H Pala in the Shillong Lok Sabha by-election, asserting that the election is not about development but about protecting the Christian faith against the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) Bill.

Addressing an election campaign meeting in Jowai on Tuesday night, Kharlukhi explained his decision to leave the NPP and campaign for the Congress, saying it was based on principle rather than any personal disagreement with the party or the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA).

Recalling the advice of the late Professor D Pakem, who introduced him to politics, Kharlukhi said there comes a time when leaders must stand against the government for the greater good of the people.

He said his association with the NPP had been influenced by its alliance with the BJP under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), but the proposed FCRA legislation had compelled him to take a different political stand.

Kharlukhi expressed concern that provisions in the proposed Bill could allow the government to seize foreign contributions and assets created from such contributions belonging to organisations whose FCRA registrations have been cancelled, surrendered or ceased.

Explaining the implications for churches receiving foreign contributions, he alleged that the proposed provision could put church properties at risk.

“Section 14 means that those churches which receive foreign contributions, their assets can be seized. What are the assets of the churches?” he asked.

He further alleged that the proposed legislation reflected a hidden agenda to undermine the Christian faith, adding that churches could face serious consequences if they failed to comply with the prescribed rules or renew their registrations.

Kharlukhi warned that if the Bill is introduced and eventually becomes law, Christians could face uncertainty over the future of their religious institutions and places of worship.

“This election is very different. In all the elections in which we usually go to vote, we choose and they talk about development, but in this election, we as believers in the Christian church, we have to think about the future of our faith,” he said.

Appealing to voters to elect Pala, Kharlukhi argued that strengthening the Congress in Parliament would help oppose the proposed legislation.

He pointed out that the Congress currently has 98 MPs and said Pala’s victory would increase the party’s strength to 99, giving it a stronger voice against the Bill.

According to Kharlukhi, electing candidates from regional parties such as the NPP or the Voice of the People Party (VPP) would mean adding only one MP to their respective parties, whereas a Congress victory would further strengthen the opposition party’s parliamentary presence.

“If you want to be able to stop this law, please elect Ma Pala, so that he can fight against the Bills they intend to bring in Parliament to make them into law,” he appealed.

He also dismissed suggestions that concerns surrounding the proposed FCRA Bill had been settled following Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma’s meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Kharlukhi said that during his own meeting with Shah, the Union Minister had not given him a clear yes-or-no answer on the matter.

He further cited the position of the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) government in Mizoram, which is part of the NDA, saying it had also expressed its intention to oppose and vote against the proposed legislation.

Kharlukhi called on the NPP and BJP leaders in Meghalaya to take a similar stand, urging them to oppose the Bill in Parliament rather than remain silent on an issue he considers crucial to the Christian community.

“I say that if the NPP or the BJP in our state also, they too must stand against and vote against this Bill,” he said.

He cautioned voters against defeating the Congress candidate, arguing that doing so would weaken efforts to oppose the proposed legislation.

“This is a fight to protect our faith, not about different developments,” Kharlukhi said, reiterating his appeal for voters to support Vincent H Pala in the Shillong Lok Sabha by-election.