MLAs set coal condition before embracing BJP

SHILLONG: Independent legislators Justine Dkhar and Robinus Syngkon have set conditions before officially joining BJP.
Speaking to The Shillong Times on Tuesday, both the legislators said the condition set by them was that the BJP-led government at the Centre should help in withdrawing the ban on coal mining by NGT and speed up the process of exempting Meghalaya from the purview of central mining laws through the presidential notification using the provision under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
According to the duo, the BJP leaders during their meeting in Delhi on Monday conveyed that the matter would be examined.
While Dkhar represents coal-rich Khliehriat, Syngkon is the MLA of Mowkaiaw.
Dkhar said only he and Syngkon had expressed the desire to join BJP with a condition related to coal mining and another independent legislator, Stephanson Mukhim representing Amlarem will seek the opinion of the people of his constituency before taking any decision.
To a question, Dkhar said, “Before officially joining BJP, we will have to first resign as parliamentary secretaries and hence the question of disqualification does not arise now.”