By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma, who is facing serious dissidence within his party, has received a shot in the arm as Union Minister Vincent Pala threw his weight behind the troubled Chief Minister.
“Mukul Sangma is leading the State well. He has been able to get the required fund allocation from the Centre,” The Union Minister of State for Water Resources told media persons on the sidelines of a function here on Monday. Pala said since downsizing of the Cabinet is the main reason behind the frequent political crisis in the State, the ministerial berths should be increased to 18 from the present 12 to ensure stability. The North East MP Forum had taken up this matter with Centre for a Constitutional amendment, he said. Interestingly, Pala claimed that rift in the Congress is less compared to other parties. “Dissidence is there in all parties and its percentage in Congress is rather lower compared to others,” he said. When asked whether any dissident leader has approached him with their demand for a change of leadership, Pala said, “I don’t know what the dissidents want. I have not received any letter.”
Push for rail head: The Union Minister, meanwhile, stressed the need for bringing the State under the railway map for better communication. “We should have the railways, then only we can compete with the other states,” Pala said. According to Pala, the Cental Government is trying hard to implement the already-sanctioned railway projects in the State. Pala’s statement bears significance in the wake of continuous opposition by the KSU to any railway project without a proper mechanism to check the possible rise in influx once the State is connected by a railway line.
