The opposition Congress has demanded Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma to reconvene the all-party meeting on the issue of the inter-state border dispute.
The party alleged that the Meghalaya government has sidelined the party in the decision-making process on the contentious Assam-Meghalaya border issue.
Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Ampareen Lyngdoh, in a statement, said that there was no clarity with regards to the invitation to attend an all-party meeting by the MDA on the subject of ‘Interstate border talks’ on December 15.
“No staff of the Bhavan received this important letter and the receipt of dak of the political department, Government of Meghalaya, indicates that the letter was received on December 15, likely after the meeting was over,” she alleged.
Lyngdoh said this while reacting to allegations that the Congress MLAs had failed to attend the important meeting, which was convened by the state government to solicit views and suggestions from all stakeholders.
While recalling that the members of the INC of the Regional Committee were not informed of a crucial meeting held at Langpih she said, “This is not the first time that the INC has been side-lined in the decision-making process on this important agenda.”
She added that the MLA and MDC of 33-Rambrai Jyrngam gate-crashed the talks and received invitations only a day after the meeting had ended.
According to Lyngdoh, it would be misleading to project to the people of the state that the Indian National Congress did not attend the all-important “Border Talks”.
“We express our complete shock and disbelief that our government, once again failed to invite us to these decisive discussions. We place on record our demand for an inclusive dialogue at the earliest, prior to any decision-taking on the matter,” she said.
The CLP leader further asked the Chief Minister to review the minutes of the meeting held on December 15 and incorporate a statement that the Indian National Congress of the State of Meghalaya did not receive necessary communication and therefore were absent from these crucial discussions.
“We look forward to a favorable response from the Chief Minister of Meghalaya and anticipate a re-convening of the “All Party Meeting” on the Inter-State Border discussions,” she said.
Lyngdoh said that Congress has a clear opinion on the Meghalaya-Assam border row, a subject that has been pending for over 50 years.