SHILLONG: Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma has criticised his bete noire NPP president and former Lok Sabha Speaker Purno A Sangma for labelling him as the “common chairman” of all militant groups operating in the Garo Hills.
“He (Purno) has the habit of making such statements particularly when elections are round the corner,” Dr Sangma said in a statement here on Saturday.
The Chief Minister said that he would like to remind him that allegations must be specific and should not border around mere speculations.
The former Lok Sabha Speaker on Thursday termed the Chief Minister as ‘the common chairman of all militant outfits operating in Garo Hills.
“Who is the chairman of GNLA, ANVC and ANVC-B? Mukul (Sangma) is the common chairman of all these groups,” Purno said
The allegation comes a few days after the chief minister categorically denied having any link with militant groups.
The allegation that the chief minister was close to A’chik National Volunteers’ Council (B) chairman Rimpu Marak was first levelled by the breakaway faction’s political secretary Ajaju Marak on January 10. The outfit denied the allegation the next day.
Speaking on criminalisation of politics, the former Lok Sabha MP from Tura, said, “In Meghalaya, everything is going merrily. What can be the worst criminalisation of politics than the chief minister himself being involved with militancy?”
Reacting to corruption charges leveled by the NPP chief, the Chief Minister, however, reiterated that there is a standing Government order on action to be taken whenever cases of corruption are brought to fore.
“Corruption is a menace and the Government is committed to deal it with firm hand and let me assure you; no one shall be spared,” Dr Sangma said.