SHLLONG: The national secretary of BJP’s Scheduled Tribe Morcha, L.B Lotha has accepted the challenge posed by his Congress counterpart to debate on minority and tribal issues for two days instead of 10 hours as suggested by the latter.
Earlier on Sunday, the observer of the AICC Minority Department, Rejaul Karim Laskar wanted Lotha to debate on the minority and tribal affairs issues for 10 hours instead of Lotha debating with chief minister Mukul Sangma on corruption issues.
The war of words began after Lotha at a news conference here on October 25 had termed Mukul Sangma as the most corrupt chief minister in the country.
The next day the chief minister threatened legal action against those who made such utterances.
On October 27 Lotha dared the chief minister to file a case against him and also to debate on the corruption plaguing the state under his regime.
However, though the chief minister did not respond, the AICC minority in charge wanted Lotha to debate with him on issues related to the minorities and tribals under the BJP regime.
In response, Lotha said the stand of the AICC minority leader was ridiculous as he was harping on debating corruption against the chief minister and not other issues.
“Even then I am ready to debate on minority and tribal issues and I discussed this issue with my party leadership, but the debate should not be just for 10 hours but two days on the condition that the chief minister should come on the third day and debate on corruption with me,” Lotha said.
The BJP leader said that the marathon debate could be witnessed by the church, tribal and minority leaders besides NGOs and youths.
Taking another dig at the Mukul Sangma, Lotha said the CM “is having sleepless nights” after the challenge posed by him.
