HT Bureau
DIPHU, July 27: The BJP has hit back at the All Party Hills Leaders Conference (APHLC) for demanding the resignation of nominated Member of Autonomous Council (MAC), Mukut Mahanta, who was made an Executive Member of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council.
In a press conference here on Wednesday, BJP leader Simeon Rongphar said that the stand taken by the APHLC chief JI Kathar is contradictory.
Rongphar said, “JI Kathar said non-tribals should not be given an opportunity, they should not be given the right to vote in the council elections. But till date the election (of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council) is open for all.”
Referring to the MoS (Memorandum of Settlement), he said, “In the past non-tribals have stood for elections, it is another matter that they have all lost. As of now it (contesting the KAAC election) is open for all and JI Kathar demands that it should be as of now. In this case, JI Kathar should not say that non-tribals cannot contest the elections. Taking all this into account in the MoS (Memorandum of Settlement) out of 44 (MAC) seats there is a reservation where tribals can only contest. In 10 seats both tribals and non-tribals can contest. That too was opposed by JI Kathar. He said there should not be reservation as all seats are reserved. It is difficult to understand his position. His position is all mixed up.”
Rongphar pointed out APHLC is opposing everything for the sake of opposing as the party is opposing non-tribals MACs, development and progress.
President of BJYM, Jiten Bey and President of BJP, Lumbajong Mandal Committee, Bidya Hanse were present at the press conference.
