SHILLONG: Casting his vote in the presidential election here on Monday, Meghalaya chief minister Dr Mukul Sangma slammed the BJP-led NDA government in the Centre for forcing the country into a challenging situation by pursuing agendas of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
“See what is happening in this country precisely because of the agenda of the RSS which is being driven by the NDA Government. The country is facing many unwarranted challenges due to these agendas which are being pursued by the NDA Government and many have expressed concern over it.” Sangma told reporters after casting his vote.
The Chief Minister reiterated that BJP was trying to piggy ride regional parties of the state to make inroads in Meghalaya as they wanted to take the state away from Congress.
According to Sangma, situation had definitely changed in the country and there were various issues which are threatening the existence and way of life of the small ethnic groups of the North East even though the country had fought for freedom earlier to ensure that people of the country have their personal liberty and way of life.
“Our personal liberty is under threat and their (RSS) agendas are being pursued by NDA Government one after another,” Sangma said and added that one such agenda of the RSS exists ultimately led to the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi.
Sangma said that the decision of each member of the electoral college who are participating in the election to elect the 14th President of the country, would indicate their endorsement of agendas of the two groups which are in the fray.
He said that it would be interesting to see how MLAs from other political parties vote as decision of any member to vote for BJP-led candidate would be construed endorsement of agendas of NDA and RSS.
Earlier, immediately after the voting began on Monday, Chief Minister, Mukul Sangma, cabinet ministers, Sniawbhalang Dhar, Zenith Sangma, Deborah Marak, HDR Lyngdoh besides senior leaders of the state DD Lapang and Salseng C Marak cast their votes.
The voting, however, was skipped by PWD (Roads) Minister, MM Danggo and independent MLA from Khliehriat, Justine Dkhar due to personal reasons.
All the four MLAs of the regional Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) did not take part in the Presidential polls as per the decision of the party to boycott the polls in principle.
The Mawhati MLA Julias Dorphang (Independent) who faces a rape charge and is currently under police custody also did not took part in the voting besides
When asked about the decision of HSPDP to skip the polls, Sangma said that may be they wanted to tell people that they don’t endorse the agenda of RSS and BJP.
“Rather than boycotting the presidential election, they (HSPDP) should have had said that they would firmly stand with those whose principle and ideologies have enabled the vibrant democracy of ours to withstand the test of time. I would have loved to see that,” he added
Former Bihar Governor Ram Nath Kovind (NDA supported) and former Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar (UPA supported) are in in the race to the Raisina Hills.
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