Amid growing calls to declare Jowai the summer capital of Meghalaya, Jowai MLA and NPP leader Wailadmiki Shylla on Tuesday said he is open to pursuing the matter with the state government—provided it is both viable and supported by public consensus. “If it is possible, if it is viable then obviously why not? But right now that also depends on the Government. Right now I don’t think I will be able to say much, but if it is possible and viable then I will be very happy,” Shylla said.
“This is at the very initial stage because I have to listen to the views of the public, because right now there are few NGOs who have come up with this,” he added. “Like I said, it’s still at the initial stage. We will discuss with other NGO and other association and later if everyone is for this then why not, I will pursue with the state Government.”
The remarks come after the Jaintia Students’ Union (Central Body) demanded that Jowai be granted summer capital status should Tura be declared the winter capital. The Union argued that political and administrative representation must reflect the shared identity of the Khasis, Jaintias, and Garos, stating that no community should be sidelined.
The state government has already formed an All-Party Committee to deliberate and submit recommendations on the proposal to designate Tura in West Garo Hills as Meghalaya’s winter capital.
