National People's Party president PA Sangma on Thursday revived the party's demand for a separate state for the Garo tribals in Meghalaya and asked electorate to vote for the cause.
"I seek your vote for Garoland. I will lead the fight and ensure that Garoland is created," Sangma, who is pitted against Congress' Daryl Momin, grandson of Meghalaya's first Chief Minister Capt WA Sangma for the Tura seat.
"The voice of the people is more powerful than grenades or AK guns. Your fight for Garoland by guerrilla movement is not correct. Be a voice for the A'chik and eschew violence. I will lead the fight and ensure that Garoland is created," he said while addressing a rally.
"I will raise my pitch at the highest level in the Parliament. If you vote NPP, you vote for Garoland," he said.
Stating that a separate state is the aspiration of the people, the NPP chief said he was waiting for the right time to raise his voice.
"The Garos have an aspiration for the creation of a separate homeland. It is a question of our pride and identity. We have all felt the need for a new state, but since the time is now right, I want to start the process again," he said.
According to Sangma, the fight for Garoland would begin by including all the five districts in western part of Meghalaya and is likely to also include those areas dominated by the Garos in Assam's Goalpara and West Khasi Hills district in Meghalaya.
He rejected Congress government's stand demanding the ANVC to create a Garo hills territorial council in line with Bodoland territorial council for the Bodos and said, "This was not acceptable to the NPP and the demand would be for a separate state."
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