SHILLONG: Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) leader Manuel Badwar has dismissed rumours suggesting that he would contest the upcoming Shillong Parliamentary by-election.
Speaking to reporters, Badwar clarified that the speculation about his candidature has largely emerged from social media discussions and does not reflect any official decision by the Congress party.
He stated that the party believes it would be inappropriate to engage in political deliberations at this stage, out of respect for the late Shillong MP Dr. Ricky A. J. Syngkon, whose untimely demise led to the vacancy of the parliamentary seat.
Badwar said the MPCC has not yet held formal discussions regarding the by-election candidate. According to him, the party will take time to carefully select a suitable candidate once the process begins.
He emphasised that the Congress is looking for a candidate who possesses both experience and a clear understanding of parliamentary responsibilities.
“The party feels that it may be difficult to field a completely new face for this by-election. The candidate must be someone experienced who understands the complexities of working in Delhi and can effectively represent the interests of the state,” Badwar said.
Apart from addressing the speculation surrounding the by-poll, Badwar also highlighted key issues that Meghalaya expects its Member of Parliament to pursue at the national level.
These include — implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Meghalaya and inclusion of Khasi and Garo languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
Badwar criticised the BJP-led Central Government, alleging that little progress has been made on these long-standing demands.
He said the responsibility of a Meghalaya MP is not only to represent the constituency but also to advocate and build consensus among parliamentarians across the country regarding the state’s concerns.
“We believe that when the Congress party returns to power at the Centre, it will become easier for our MP to push for the implementation of ILP and the recognition of Khasi and Garo languages in the Eighth Schedule,” he added.
