By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: GNLA chief Champion R Sangma’s comments on Thursday that the outfit would support Congress except in two constituencies in the upcoming 2013 Assembly elections, has evoked sharp reaction from political parties in the State who have indicated that some Congress leaders may have a nexus with the militant outfit GNLA which has prompted the outfit’s chief to support the Congress in the upcoming election.
BJP general secretary Dipayan Chakraborty on Friday said, “It seems some Congress leaders are close to him and this is the reason he is willing to contest on a Congress seat.”
According to the BJP leader, many things can be read from Champion’s statement and it clearly indicates that ‘there is something behind the scene’.
“There is also a need to find out his real intention of contesting on a Congress ticket,” the BJP leader said.
The second largest coalition partner in the Congress-led MUA coalition, the UDP, has also taken exception to Champion’s statement regarding the outfit’s support to the Congress.
AF Dkhar, secretary of UDP Shillong City unit, on Friday said that the party will meet shortly to discuss the issue.
“Though the party is yet to sit to deliberate the matter, it appears from the statement that the ‘cat is out from the bag’ and it is free for all to see,” he said.
According to Dkhar, Champion would not have made the remarks without having some nexus with the Congress party.
“We would like to condemn this as it is not good for the future of Meghalaya politics and we will leave it to the wisdom of the Congress to decide on the offer of the militant leader,” Dkhar added.
Meanwhile, National People’s Party (NPP) leader Conrad Sangma, while refusing to give any comment, said, “The Congress now should respond to it.”
Sangma said that the assertion from the GNLA chief clears a lot of things, but refused to further divulge his thoughts.
“I had never ever heard of such a thing and I am quite surprised to see the reports,” he said.
When asked whether an accused with criminal allegations should be allowed to participate in the election, he said constitutionally he can contest the elections but the important thing is the verdict of the people.
Champion had, on Thursday, said that he wanted to contest the elections for the cause of Garoland. Besides, he had also assured that members of the outfit would come for talks once he is elected to the State Assembly.