SHILLONG: After UDP and HSPDP, it was the BJP’s turn to react to Chief Minister Mukul Sangma’s “backdoor alliance” remark.
State BJP President Shibun Lyngdoh on Tuesday rebutted Sangma’s allegations that the UDP-HSPDP truck “is a backdoor alliance with BJP”.
“That is his (Sangma’s) saying. We are repeatedly saying we are preparing in all the 60 constituencies and there is no front-door or backdoor. If we have constituted all the mandal committees then we will fight from all the 60 constituencies,” Lyngdoh said.
The BJP leader also informed that MLAs, ministers and members of other parties have sent feelers to BJP but refused to disclose names.
When asked on whether Sniawbhalang Dhar has approached the party, Lyngdoh said, “I cannot say anything about it until they join BJP.”
He maintained that the members are waiting for the right time.
Open debate challenge
When asked about Sangma’s comment on being a ‘player’, Lyngdoh said, “Nalin Kohli has already challenged him for an open debate, let them choose the dais… There should be a player in every field. Even Mukul Sangma is a player of politics. Who can deny? He may be a player of the national next (time) or a District Council player.”
Commenting on whether he is a losing or a winning player, Lyngdoh said, “It is up to him. I am not close nor in touch with him. I cannot say.”
But he was quick to rate the Congress-led Government’s performance ‘zero’ because he felt “there is no performance here”.
But K.C Boro, Kisan Morcha president, had the answer. “Mukul Sangma is a losing player. He is planning to contest from two constituencies, Ampati and Songsak, (that he claimed to have heard from even Congress quarters) which indicates that he is nervous.”
Lyngdoh pointed out that there is no government in Shillong except that of Tura and Jowai. “All their sons and daughters are studying in foreign countries but the poor do not have access to schools in villages,” he said.
Referring to AICC spokesperson Gaurav Gogoi who was also keen for a debate, he said, “I will convey the date to Kohli.”
