SHILLONG: In a case of euphemism, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma was on Friday compared to the popular story character “Late Lateef” by Sayeedullah Nongrum, Chairman, Organizing Committee, Nelson Year Celebration, Shillong Muslim Union (SMU) for the Chief Minister’s habitual late coming.
The inauguration programme of Dr A.P.J Abdul Kalam Islamic Library and Information Centre started without the Chief Minister, who was the chief guest since as he was attending the two-day Asian Confluence River Festival- NADI 2016 as chief guest.
Though the inauguration of Kalam library was scheduled at 1.30 pm on Friday, there was a long wait for the Chief Minister’s arrival.
The Chief Minister is known for not keeping punctuality, with audiences in most gatherings or programmes fidgeting in their seats waiting for his arrival which usually takes hours. The inauguration programme on Friday was no different although the Chief Minister apologized stating that he was attending the NADI festival on the same day at State Convention Centre and from there he had to rush to the inauguration programme at Laban.
Towards the end of his speech highlighting the achievements of the SMU, Nongrum, a former Congress legislator, while speaking about the Chief Minister’s habit, said, “Our CM is always late.”
Earlier while waiting for the Chief Minister, Praveen Davar, member of National Commission for Minorities, speaking as guest of honour observed that one should not make the audience wait for more than 15-20 minutes and added, “Let him not inaugurate, but instead conclude the programme.”
