Mukul’s death wish remark against Purno
SHILLONG: The National People’s Party (NPP) has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) seeking stringent action against Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma for his “death wish” remarks against NPP chief Purno A Sangma.
Taking exception to the Chief Minister’s remarks that Purno Sangma’s decision to contest the April 9 Lok Sabha elections from Tura was the “wish of a dying man”, NPP secretary IB Pandey has demanded stringent action against the Chief Minister.
Pandey also termed the Chief Minister’s remarks as a direct threat to the NPP chief.
Pandey claimed that the Chief Minister’s remarks reflected his intention to win the election at any cost and asked the ECI to order increased security cover for Purno.
Pandey also requested the ECI to permit use of the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) system for the April 9 elections in the Tura parliamentary constituency since the Chief Minister’s remark indicated that attempts could be made to manipulate the votes.
The NPP has asked the ECI to sanction 1500 VVPAT machines for the election to the Tura seat and feared that there could be manipulation of votes if proper measures were not put in place.
“In Garo there is a popular saying Cha.e Siangna (Before I die let me have something),” the Chief Minister had told reporters on March 20 when asked to comment on Purno Sangma’s decision to contest the Lok Sabha election, sparking criticism from the NPP.