The inclusion of Meghalaya State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MSCPCR) Chairperson Agatha K. Sangma’s name in the list of star campaigners for the National People’s Party (NPP) ahead of the Assam Legislative Assembly elections and a by-election in Nagaland has sparked a controversy.
The list submitted by NPP to the Election Commission of India (ECI) by NPP national general on March 22, has Agatha’s name along with prominent party leaders, including Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and his wife Mehtab Chandee A. Sangma, Deputy Chief Ministers Prestone Tynsong and Sniawbhalang Dhar, senior party leader James P.K. Sangma, among other leaders.
Concerns over the development have been raised as the MSCPCR chairperson holds a statutory and quasi-judicial position tasked with safeguarding child rights. The active participation of the MSCPCR chairperson in political campaigning could be seen as incompatible with the neutrality and impartiality expected of such offices, potentially violating established norms governing statutory authorities.
Previously, a former Meghalaya State Commission for Women (MSCW) chairperson Phidalia Toi, was removed from her post for allegedly associating with political activities during the 2023 Assembly elections in support of NPP candidate, Wailadmiki Shylla. Former Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh had then justified the move by stating that it was based on violations of the MSCW Act, 2005.