SHILLONG: The debate on the Governor’s address in the Meghalaya assembly on Monday witnessed Opposition members raising pertinent issues like militancy in the Garo Hills, but in the absence of Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma. The reply of the Chief Minister to the debate is scheduled for Wednesday.
For the Chief Minister, it appears that securing party tickets for nominees of his choice in the Lok Sabha election is more important than attending to the assembly business.
The Chief Minister had left for Delhi last Friday along with a host of Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee leaders. Though MPCC President DD Lapang, Cabinet Ministers Prestone Tynsong and Sniawbhalang Dhar and Independents Julius Dorphang, Justine Dkhar, Stephanson Mukhim and Robinus Syngkon returned to Shillong on Sunday, the Chief Minister decided to stay back.
The Chief Minister has already managed to secure the party ticket for his nominee Daryl William Cheran Momin for the Tura seat, but the nomination for the prestigious Shillong seat is still awaited. While the AICC is in favour of giving party ticket to the sitting MP Vincent Pala, the choice of Chief Minister is now John Kharshiing.
The AICC is planning to announce the name of the candidate for Shillong seat on Wednesday.
OPP demands: Meanwhile, Opposition leader Dr Donkupar Roy had demanded a probe into the alleged nexus of the Chief Minister with the ANVC (B).
“The highest investigating should be asked to probe into this since the people of the State needs to know the truth on this alleged nexus,” Dr Roy said in the Assembly on Monday.
The UDP legislator said that the ANVC B had claimed that it was instrumental in installing Dr Sangma as Chief Minister during the last term. “We are making this demand as per the statement of the militant outfit which is available in the public domain,” he said.
