Meghalaya polls: Tribals want Cong tickets in ‘open’ seats too

But now, Congress aspirants — F Syiemiong, Herman Nongrum and Sounder Cajee — have urged Sonia to de-categorise the three seats from their present status of “reserved for non-tribals”.

The three argued that since the creation of Meghalaya, the three seats have been categorised as open seats where both tribal and non-tribal candidates can contest.

The letter argues that the party’s policy of giving tickets only to non-tribal candidates for these three constituencies in the Khasi hills would damage its image. It points out that other parties like the NCP and BJP have been allotting tickets to tribal candidates in these areas.

The three, who have applied for the party ticket from these constituencies, claimed to have the support of the Block Congress in these areas.