Shillong, Jan. 20: The Meghalaya PCC today openly admitted that it has been forced to remain in the People?s Forum of Meghalaya (PFM) coalition government for the past 13 months, knowing fully well that it was ?making a mistake? and the government was not performing up to expectations.
While releasing the party?s manifesto here today, Congress president S.C. Marak admitted that his party has had to compromise its agenda in ?coalition politics?.
Without mincing words he said the party had made mistakes while being a part of the PFM coalition. He also admitted that the Congress had compromised its last election manifesto.
He said even the much hyped surplus budget presented by former finance minister A.H. Scott Lyngdoh was ?only a notional one? and contrary to the sound fiscal management that the finance department frequently harped on.
Asked if the Congress would compromise on its manifesto if it had to strike an alliance with other parties after the elections, Congress Legislative Party leader D.D. Lapang, who is the deputy chief minister in the PFM government, said, ?We will cross the bridge when we come to it.?
Kicking off its election campaign, the party today said controlling influx from Bangladesh and protecting the ?genuine interests of permanent non-tribal residents? of the state would get top priority.
Marak, who released the party?s manifesto at the Congress Bhavan, said the party would not shy away from issues like influx but would attempt to give ?permanent and genuine non-tribal citizens their rightful place?.
Apart from claims of controlling influx of illegal migrants and protecting non-tribal interests, the Congress manifesto stresses stability, accountability, transparency and fiscal discipline while also highlighting the need to develop agriculture and allied sectors.