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.