SHILLONG, NOV 11: Former Rajya Sabha MP Dr Wanweiroy Kharlukhi on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the Voice of the People Party (VPP), urging the people of Jaintia Hills to reject it for allegedly seeking to erase the name ‘Jaintia’ and for encouraging voters to accept money during elections.
Kharlukhi was addressing a campaign meeting at Sutnga in East Jaintia Hills in support of Congress president Vincent H Pala, who is contesting the upcoming Shillong Lok Sabha by-election.
Invoking Sutnga’s historical significance, Kharlukhi said the VPP’s agenda was divisive and an affront to Jaintia identity.
“From Sutnga, a Jaintia king was born and he ruled over the Jaintia kingdom. After we got the autonomous district council, it was known as the United Khasi-Jaintia Hills. But I do not know what is the reason behind the Prah (Voice of the People Party) wanting to do away with the name ‘Jaintia’,” he said.
“Please remember, the Jaintia kingdom came out of Sutnga village. Therefore, we who still overflow with blood and love for the Jaintia region should not allow this to happen. We should bring unity among our community, not divide them. Therefore, please think before taking your decision,” he added.
He said the attempt to drop the name was not a mere political slogan but an attack on the history, identity and pride of the Jaintia people.Kharlukhi also took on the VPP over its reported advice to voters to “take money but not vote”, accusing its leaders of moral posturing while promoting dishonesty.“In social media, people who claim to be saints, but their deeds are the highway to hell. It is these same self-proclaimed saints who are telling people to take money but not to cast their votes,” he said.
“But I am telling you, it is not good to take money. If you take money and do not cast your vote, you are a liar. If you take money, you should also give your vote to the one who offers that money,” he added.
A party that normalises bribery, he said, cannot claim to clean up politics.
Responding to allegations of corruption against him, Kharlukhi issued an open challenge, saying he was ready to quit politics or even go to jail if any misuse was proved.
“If you find that we have misappropriated any scheme, please bring it forth, I am ready to leave politics. All the schemes implemented by me during my tenure as Rajya Sabha MP can be checked from the deputy commissioner’s offices and block development offices. If you find that I have misused even a single paise, I am ready to go to jail myself,” he said.
