SHILLONG, October 12: With Meghalaya having a large youth population, Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar on Monday dismissed suggestions that the ongoing protest by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) could influence young voters in the state, maintaining that the issue falls within the Centre’s domain.
Responding to a query on whether the protest could sway Meghalaya’s youth, Dhar said the matter should be addressed by the Union government and expressed confidence that it would be handled appropriately at the national level.
“Not at all because this is a central issue. I think the government will handle it properly at the central level,” he said.
On CJP’s demand for the removal of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Dhar reiterated that the response should come from the Government of India.
Asked whether the party’s agitation could attract young voters, the Deputy Chief Minister expressed confidence in the political awareness and judgement of Meghalaya’s youth, saying the state government stood by them.
“I am not scared for the youth. I always love and respect the youth of Meghalaya because our youth are very intelligent and they know what to do in the future. As a government, we are with them,” he said.
