SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has strongly criticised the state government’s decision to postpone the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections by six months, terming the move “unjustified” and excessive.
MPCC Working President Deborah Marak questioned the rationale behind the blanket deferment, arguing that the unrest linked to Scheduled Tribe (ST) Certificate issues is limited to specific pockets and does not warrant halting the entire electoral process.
She suggested that the government should have adopted a targeted approach by suspending polling only in affected constituencies such as Shamnagar and Balachandra, while allowing elections to proceed in other peaceful areas, particularly in the hill regions.
“The situation is not uniform across all constituencies. Elections could have been conducted in areas where there is no disturbance,” Marak stated.
Raising concerns over the duration of the postponement, the Congress leader described the six-month delay as excessive and hinted at possible political motives behind the decision.
“It appears the government may be hesitant to face the electorate at this point,” she alleged.
The MPCC also highlighted recent developments within the GHADC leadership, noting that former Chief Executive Member (CEM) Albinush R. Marak resigned voluntarily after reportedly being denied a party ticket. While speculation of internal party pressure persists, the Council is currently functioning under new leadership.
Reiterating the party’s stance, Marak emphasised the urgent need for a fresh and elected Executive Committee (EC) to address the pressing issues faced by the people.
“The government must avoid unnecessary delays. We will continue to press for early elections so that a stable and representative body can take charge and resolve public grievances,” she asserted
