SHILLONG, May 8: The Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has called for the resignation of Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar amid allegations that he financially supported the banned militant group, Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC). The Congress party also insists on a comprehensive and unbiased investigation by an independent body into these claims. Recently, the HNLC alleged that Dhar had provided them with funds during his tenure as a minister in the previous Congress-led government.
MPCC secretary Manuel Badwar stated that Dhar’s resignation is essential to ensure transparency and to prevent any political interference in the inquiry. He emphasized that it would be inappropriate for him to remain in office while the investigation unfolds. Badwar reiterated the Congress party’s strong commitment to transparency, accountability, and upholding the rule of law, condemning any participation in illegal or anti-national activities as unacceptable. He conveyed the party’s full cooperation with the relevant authorities, expressing confidence in the legal process while underscoring the gravity of the allegations against Dhar. “This is a very serious accusation with anti-national implications,” he asserted.
Badwar clarified that the Congress party has no connection to the allegations, urging authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure it reaches a logical conclusion. “As far as the Congress is concerned, we are not involved. We will never be involved in such activities,” he concluded.
In a separate development, the Congress party announced that it would not join the All Party Committee on Railways established by the NPP-led MDA government. Previously, the Voice of the People Party had also opted out of the committee, stating their willingness to participate only if the government first addresses an anti-influx mechanism. Badwar criticized the committee’s formation as superficial, questioning if the government had considered forming an all-party committee for issues like casinos or border disputes.
He accused the government of selectively involving parties based on convenience, challenging the notion of inclusivity. “You can’t just pick and choose agendas to appear inclusive. That’s not acceptable,” he stated. He highlighted that the government, having received a public mandate, should be accountable for its decisions. “Now, when they’re stuck and can’t proceed, they want to bring everyone on board to share the blame,” Badwar added. The Congress leader reaffirmed the party’s role as the Opposition, committed to holding the government accountable for its actions.
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2025/05/09/congress-asks-dhar-to-resign-for-allegedly-funding-hnlc/
Category: MEGHALAYA
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Publish Date: 2025-05-09 03:44:00
