SHILLONG, MAR 15: From boxing ring to political arena, 33-year-old Samuel Hashah, a former state kick-boxer today announced his decision to enter the fray by contesting as an Independent candidate from Shillong parliamentary seat for the Aprill 11 – Lok Sabha elections.
Hashah, who hails from a remote village of Nonghyllam in South West Khasi Hills District, is also heading the All Meghalaya Kick-boxing Association (AMKA) as its president and is a third-degree black belt holder.
In the past, he had also represented the state and the country in the different national and international championships and is now sharing his experience in the discipline by giving coaching to young and aspiring kick-boxers in the state.
He had unsuccessfully contested the 2014 district council polls from Mylliem constituency.
“I have decided to contest as an Independent candidate from the Shillong seat in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and I appeal to the people of Khasi-Jaintia region for their support,” Hashah said in a news conference held here on Friday.
The young aspiring politician assured that if elected as MP, he would take up and pressurize the Centre for implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system to check influx and illegal immigration into the state of Meghalaya.
He said the demand for ILP is gaining momentum in the state following the move to implement the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB), which seeks to provide citizenship to illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
“I am strongly against the CAB and there is a need to alert the state government for the protection of the indigenous people of the state,” he said.
Hashah also assured to raise problems related to inter-state boundary dispute with Assam and international border with Bangladesh besides stressing the need to address the increasing drop out rates in the state through proper education policy in place.
Pointing out the sorry state of affairs of the sports sector in Meghalaya, which is going to host the National Games in 2022, the former kick-boxer said, “Special emphasis would be given to come up with a sports policy to promote young talents in all disciplines as at present the state lacks proper infrastructures.”
Hashah will be contesting against two-time Congress Shillong MP Vincent H Pala and ruling MDA nominee and UDP leader Jemino Mawthoh.
Asked, Hashah however said he is confident that the people of the Khasi-Jaintia Hills region will make wise decision to elect a leader to represent them in the parliament.
“I have no interest to use money or muscle power but I am determined to win this election through love because my only agenda is to serve the people,” he said while reacting to a query on the influence of money power during election time.
By Our Reporter
+ There are no comments
Add yours