SHILLONG : NPP candidate for the Shillong Lok Sabha by-election, Dr DRL Nonglait, has urged voters to rise above political party differences and support issues concerning the Khasi people, including the demand for inclusion of the Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution and the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP).
Addressing a large gathering during an election campaign at Rymbai in East Jaintia Hills on Thursday, Dr Nonglait said that if elected to Parliament, he would seek to introduce a Bill for the inclusion of the Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule rather than limiting his efforts to submitting memorandums.
He said he had previously met Union Ministers, including Amit Shah, Kiren Rijiju and Rajnath Singh, and submitted memorandums on various demands from Meghalaya.
“But this time, if you elect me as MP, I will not go just to submit memorandums but to introduce a Bill in Parliament to enact it into law,” he said.
Dr Nonglait appealed to voters to put aside political differences, pointing out that the demands for Khasi language recognition and ILP had received support across political parties in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly.
“When I go to Delhi I will not go only as an NPP MP, but I will take up the issues demanded by all political parties in Meghalaya,” he said.
Highlighting the achievements of the MDA government in Meghalaya, Dr Nonglait cited the establishment of Shillong Medical College and Shillong Engineering College, as well as the recognition of Khasi as an official language of Meghalaya.
“This is a working government. There has never been a medical college run by the state government before, but it is this government. Shillong Engineering too is by this government,” he said.
Referring to the Khasi language, he said a notification was issued by the Governor on April 27 following discussions and efforts by the government, recognising Khasi as an official language of Meghalaya.
Dr Nonglait also promised that, if elected, he would push for the establishment of campuses of the State University in other districts of Meghalaya, including the Jaintia Hills.
The Shillong Lok Sabha by-election has brought several key state and regional issues, including language recognition, ILP and development, to the centre of political campaigning.