Janata Dal’s (U) political blackmail for special status for Bihar in exchange of its support in 2014 might have opened a Pandora’s Box with a Meghalaya legislator saying that it is “an opportune moment” for Meghalaya also to demand special package from New Delhi.
MLA Paul Lyngdoh, working president of the United Democratic Party and former student leader of the Khasi Students’ Union, described in the Assembly on Monday as “the opportune moment” for Congress legislators to make a similar demand for Meghalaya as Bihar, to wriggle out of its current financial woes.
“If Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar can take train load of people to New Delhi and demand special status (then) it is the opportune moment for the Congress members to go to New Delhi and demand for special package for Meghalaya,” Lyngdoh said.
He said with the additional funds the state can work in earnest to develop its fledgling infrastructure, especially its connectivity, which is the major hurdle towards development, be it poor roads or airports. He said development of the Umroi airport must be taken up as a priority with the additional fund.
Lyngdoh was referring to Kumar’s rally at the Ramlilla grounds in New Delhi recently where thousands of his state supporters demanded special status for Bihar in exchange of support during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
There are other states that are awaiting such largesse from the centre ahead of the crucial Lok Sabha elections in 2014. The northeast region, however, enjoys some sort of special status by way of fund allotment and other political freedom.
The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region looks after the interest of the region specifically. Moreover, the Non Lapsable Pool of Central Resources, in which ten per cent of fund from different departments are allotted for development of the region, are some of the centre’s other special initiatives. States like Arunachal Pradesh, on the other hand, are getting special attention owing to its strategic nature and constant claim over this territory by China.
Moreover, some of the district councils look after the social, economic and political freedom of the tribals of the region, but nonetheless regional parties from the region and elsewhere in the country might take a leaf out from Kumar’s book before the elections and milk the situation.
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