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Congress manifesto meet on Northeast talks of special status

Monday's consultations were the third in Assam, with earlier ones being helmed by former finance minister P Chidambaram and Bhalchandra Laxman Mungekar

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Former Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma (C) chaired consultations of the Congress’s research department held in Guwahati on Monday
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Several issues like withdrawal of special status and lack of funds for developmental works to Northeastern states, widespread migration owing to the Brahmaputra floods in Assam and neighbouring areas, and border issues among the states as well as with Bangladesh dominated the public consultation of the Congress's research department held in Guwahati on Monday.

The consultations were divided in two parts — one among party workers and the other among members of associations, community and trade. Former Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma, who is currently the chairman of the Northeast Co-ordination Congress Committee, Assam PCC member Ripun Bora and research department secretary Ranajit Mukherjee were present at the consultations.

Discussions also dwelled on Article 244 and Article 370 of the Constitution, with several civil society members complaining that the Centre's Northeast Council — a statutory body which has the governors and chief ministers of all Northeastern states as members — has not brought much difference to the region. They also said that the Ministry for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), which looks at development in the region, should have its office in the region instead of New Delhi.

Suggestions from these consultations will be part of the party's manifesto in 2019 Lok Sabha elections, said Mukherjee. "The withdrawal of special status by the 14th Finance Commission has been a severe blow, and most of the conversations came down to the same sentiment that the clubbing of the eight states as one entity is a clear and deliberate oversight," said Mukherjee.

Monday's consultations were the third in Assam, with earlier ones being helmed by former finance minister P Chidambaram and Bhalchandra Laxman Mungekar. A consultation is slated to be held in Shillong on Tuesday, which will be the first in the state. Earlier, consultations were held in Imphal and Moreh as well in Manipur.

Meets So Far

  • Monday’s consultations were the third in Assam. 
  • A consultation is slated for Shillong on Tuesday. 
  • Imphal and Moreh also had similar consultations.
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