"How can it be possible for him to contest the elections when he is not even on bail with so many cases pending against him? He cannot say he has no criminal background," Meghalaya Governor R S Mooshahary told reporters on the sidelines of a seminar on tourism here today.
The Governor said, "Unless you are convicted, technically anyone can contest the elections ... However the case of Champion Sangma is different.
"He is a criminal and he is not even on bail. Will he be able to join politics with so many cases pending against him? The court has to decide," Mooshahary said.
Expressing concern over rising militant activities in the Garo Hills, the former chief of the elite National Security Guards said, "We have to do more to contain militancy."
Champion Sangma, who was arrested at the Indo-Bangladesh border on July 30 after he was pushed back by Bangladesh authorities had said that he would contest the 2013 elections in the state.
The rebel chief who is in judicial custody, had also said that his outfit supported the Congress in the Garo Hills region except in two constituencies.
The Meghalaya Congress on September 25 had distanced itself from the controversial support announced by Sangma.
"At no stage it (the Congress) entered into any negotiation on such a matter. The Indian National Congress is immune to rhetoric aimed at maligning its impeccable time tested ideals, principles and values," state party chief D D Lapang had said.
