SHILLONG:
Cabinet Minister and United Democratic Party (UDP) leader Paul Lyngdoh, on June 5, made a distinct comparison between the Khasis and Garos in terms of political awareness and maturity and said, “Garos are far more politically matured and astute compared to us.”
His statement came in the backdrop of the growing demand by certain political parties and groups of people and organisations in Khasi and Jaintia Hills to review the state reservation policy.
“We (Khasis) make a lot of unnecessary noise about a lot of things but they (Garos) have shown more wisdom and maturity,” he said.
Warning of an irreparable damage if the issue continues to be poked, Lyngdoh said, “If we scream and make too much noise, we attract not just the high court but the supreme court as well. Now we see many minority groups coming forward to demand for a quota and this has further complicated the already complex issue, making it difficult for us to bring a solution.”
“In politics, I have noticed that many of us are still immature whereas our friends in Garo Hills have displayed political astuteness and maturity,” he added.
Referring to the recent demand for a Khasi chief minister, the UDP leader asked if people from Garo Hills had also resorted to the same tactic. “No. Their response came in elections by giving the mandate to the National People’s Party (NPP) – electing 18 NPP MLAs from 24 seats, making it certain that the chief minister is from their community,” he pointed out.
Reacting to sharp criticisms levelled against him for being silent on the reservation issue, Lyngdoh said, “As a leader, it is not wise for us to reveal all our strategies or ways of getting my work done. Others talk, I work.”
“If it is okay for a student of class 8 or 9 to come and lecture about policy-making, then even I would have not pursued my education and gave lectures only after completing my 8th standard,” he said, adding that this kind of encouragement by certain groups is not democratic as it paves way for anarchy.