Eight members of the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) in Meghalaya, including former legislator Justine Dkhar, have quit the party alleging that there is no platform in the party to listen to the public grievances.
They also blamed the state government’s decision for allowing transportation of coal from Assam to East Jaiñtia Hills district.
Those who quit the NPP include three former members of the Jaiñtia Hills Autonomous District Council, Thomas Nongtdu, Joinriwell Pyrtuh and Violet Lyngdoh, the sister of Shibun Lyngdoh, the former Meghalaya BJP state president.
In a letter to NPP Meghalaya state president Dr. Wanwei Roy Kharlukhi, the eight NPP members stated that the party was not well organised as such as there is no platform to listen to the public grievances.
“People are fighting hard against the COVID-19 pandemic whereas the party which leads the government is inviting the virus through truck drivers and helpers by allowing them to come from outside the State (Red Zone Area) to East Jaiñtia Hills district,” they stated in their resignation letter.
“The party knows very well that East Jaiñtia Hills district is having enough raw materials for cement plants in the district but the government is adamant and blindfolded to the facts,” they said in the letter.
Earlier, several groups including coal traders association, and transporters’ association have opposed brining of coal from Assam to cement companies in East Jaiñtia Hills.
