By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Opposition Meghalaya People’s Front (MPF) has demanded the resignation of Dr Mukul Sangma saying that the Chief Minister has failed to resolve the various problems inflicting the State.
“He ( Dr Sangma) has lost the moral and legal right to continue as the Chief Minister of the State,” MPF spokesperson Paul Lyngdoh said after a Parliamentary Party (PP) meeting of MPF here on Monday.
Ruling out giving a deadline for the Chief Minister to step down, Lyngdoh, however, said the MPF would closely assess the developments and if required, it would not shy away from “taking extreme steps” to compel the Chief Minister to step down.
Lyngdoh said government headed by Dr Sangma had failed to address the pertinent and burning issues affecting the State which include the stalemate over the demand to implement the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system, the crumbling law and order situation in Garo Hills and the problems of school teachers.
“The Chief Minister has not taken any step to improve the situation and ensure normalcy. It is really unfortunate that that he has allowed the pro-ILP activists to go on a warpath,” the MPF spokesperson said adding that the attitude of Government was affecting the common people of the State.
Lyngdoh also termed Dr Sangma as visiting Chief Minister who is in the national capital for at least four-six days a month.
“What is worse is that he (Sangma) left for Delhi today despite the prevailing law and order situation in the State. Instead of facing the problem, he is running away from it,” Lyngdoh said.
He also pointed out that there was no second-in-command in the Congress-led Government who could handle the situation.
“The situation is very gloomy. The Chief Minister cannot take the people of the State for a ride. It is befitting that he ( Dr Sangma) relinquishes his post,” the MPF spokesperson said.
Lyngdoh reiterated that the Chief Minister should come clear on his stand over the recommendations of the High Level Committee (HLC) on Influx headed by former Deputy Chief Minister Bindo Mathew Lanong.
“He (Dr Sangma) should have the guts to openly reject the recommendations since the Committee was constituted under his initiative,” Lyngdoh said.
Assembly Session
Meanwhile, the MPF spokesperson said that the Opposition would move a resolution demanding the implementation of the ILP in the State during the upcoming Assembly session scheduled to start from November 4.
Besides the issues of influx of illegal immigrants, he said the Opposition would raise various other issues including the deteriorating law and order situation in Garo Hills, problem of the teachers and pathetic condition of the roads in the State.