CM calls Purno a B’deshi in Assembly

James demands apology from Mukul

SHILLONG: NPP legislator James K Sangma demanded an apology from Chief Minister Mukul Sangma in the Assembly on Thursday for referring to his father and former Lok Sabha Speaker Purno Agitok Sangma as a Bangladeshi.
The NPP legislator had raised a supplementary question on whether those Bangladeshis who had been detected in the State were deported back to which the Chief Minister replied that there are relevant provisions of the law to act on illegal migrants and that it was for the court to decide on the matter.
Not happy with the Chief Minister’s reply, James said, “The Bangladeshis have not been deported back and the government has shielded them.”
The Chief Minister retorted back saying that the member “is casting aspersions on the Judiciary”.
As the argument carried on, James, while stating that mere prosecution will not solve the problem of illegal immigration, added that the State Government was not showing sincerity in tackling illegal immigration from Bangladesh.
Reacting to the NPP legislator’s allegation that the Government was guilty of allowing illegal immigration, the Chief Minister replied “Yes, like your father who came from there.”
Angered over the Chief Minister’s remark, James demanded an apology from Chief Minister for the personal attack on his father who is the Lok Sabha member from Tura.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prestone Tynsong intervened and said that the Chief Minister was seated when he uttered the words about James’ father and hence there was no need for an apology.
The Speaker later intervened and said that the comments of the Chief Minister would be expunged from the proceedings of the House.
Leader of Opposition Donkupar Roy also joined in and stated that attacks of personal nature should be avoided by one and all in the House.
However, there was no apology from the Chief Minister.

CM lacks manners, respect: NPP

The Nationalist People’s Party (NPP) has condemned the Chief Minister for his statement in the Assembly on Thursday that Purno A Sangma was from Bangladesh.
NPP state president W.R. Kharlukhi termed the Chief Minister’s statement as irresponsible and cheap and claimed that the Chief Minister was ignorant of the facts.
Despite being the Leader of the House, the Chief Minister lacks manners and has no respect for the decorum and sanctity of the august House, Kharlukhi stated.
He reminded that it is a well-known fact that Purno Agitok Sangma is the son of Late Chimri A Sangma and Dipchon Marak and was born in the village of Chapahati in West Garo Hills, Meghalaya. He also advised the Chief Minister to do his homework before making such utterances.