Syiem allegations of Cong nexus out of desperation: Lanong
SHILLONG: Meghalaya Governor Banwarilal Purohit has sought more documents from the United Democratic Party (UDP) as evidence in the alleged financial irregularities and scams which were unearthed in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC).
The UDP delegation, led by senior working president Bindo M. Lanong, met Purohit at Raj Bhavan on Thursday and apprised him of the illegal transfer of the Council’s money to private bank accounts, including that of EC secretary Welljune Syiemlieh, and other irregularities.
Lanong, while addressing the media after the meeting, said UDP will send necessary documents to the Governor shortly.
On KHADC chief executive member P.N Syiem’s comment on Wednesday that the Congress was using Lanong to oust him, he said, “P.N Syiem is agitated and desperate knowing that we are going to the governor, hence he has charged us of conniving with the Congress.”
The senior leader said UDP did not do anything wrong by seeking the governor’s intervention because Syiem had failed to reply to the party’s queries by February 16.
The UDP has sent a nine-point query about misappropriation of Rs 16 lakh belonging to the Forest Department, lack of transparency in allotment of land in Ri Bhoi with a compensation of Rs 23 lakh, matters related to providing loan to Khasi Heritage Conservation Forum, besides others.
UDP is also aggrieved over the delay in making public the magisterial inquiry report into the illegal transfer of Rs 2 crore to private bank accounts. The report was tabled on February 22 in the KHADC House and a panel was formed to follow up the issue after Syiemlieh was indicted.
Replying to a question by media persons, Lanong said inquiry into the allegations by the House Committee and apprising the Governor are two different subjects and they should be seen separately.
When asked if the UDP would withdraw its support to the People’s Democratic Forum in the District Council, Lanong said the party would not hesitate to come out of the coalition if the allegations are proved.
Asked if UDP MLAs are ignoring the scams in the state government and rather targeting KHADC, UDP MLA Jemino Mawthoh said the legislators have been flagging the scams of the government and they would continue to do so.
“It is not true that the MLAs are keeping quiet on the ills of the government,” Mawthoh said.
