Mukul takes pot-shots at BJP national leaders; calls them jokers

SHILLONG: Chief Minister Mukul Sangma took another jibe at the central BJP leaders who had visited Meghalaya and termed them as ‘jokers’ for criticising the State Government at a time when there is a positive turnaround.
Addressing a function after inaugurating a road from Police Bazar to Polo here on Wednesday, Sangma said, “People coming from outside behave like jokers when they say there is no development in Meghalaya.”
Pointing out that politicians are flocking to the State when there is a “positive atmosphere”, road connectivity and law and order, Sangma said, “Why had they not visited Shillong when GS Road was facing traffic snarls for 16 hours and when people were forced to be holed up in hotels due to agitations.”
Reiterating that Shillong has changed in the last couple of years, the chief minister added that positive vibes can be felt when someone sees the crowd at Police Bazar in the evening.
He, however, admitted that the violence in the past had slowed the momentum of growth  and called for a sustainable positive growth. At the same time, he cautioned that “many forces will try to derail it”.
Sangma further stressed on the need to restrategise the growth paradigm saying it would require cooperation of all and a changed mindset.
Sangma reminded that when the 2013 ILP agitations took place in the state, the government had made a commitment that the passive attitude towards bandhs and agitations would not be allowed.
The chief minister also expressed concern over the ongoing situation in the country and said people outside the State are wondering whether the country is safe to live in.
“But we are safe here in Meghalaya,” he added.