Mukul’s protocol jibe at Alphons

SHILLONG: Mukul Sangma has blamed Union Tourism Minister Alphons Kannanthanam for vitiating the relation between the Centre and the state and criticised him for not following protocol.
Speaking to media persons here on Wednesday, Sangma said the minister, who recently addressed a rally in Sohra along with Nalin Kohli, often comes to Shillong without any official programme.
“They should have sent a letter first to the chief minister,” he said even as he added that the general convention and tradition is that central ministers try to call on the chief minister when they visit a state. Kannanthanam, during one of his visits to the state last month, had said the Congress was responsible for the plight of the people in Meghalaya, “one of the poorest states in India”.
“The party which was ruling India was stealing people’s money,” he had said alluding to the Congress.
Questioning Kannanthanam’s frequent visits to Meghalaya, Sangma said instead of maligning the state, he should try to find out the facts. “How can a Union minister come and speak like any other person and this is certainly unbecoming of a person. The Prime Minister should take note of this exercise and stop this. Let them send other party leaders.”
“They are vitiating the environment of democracy and federal structure is being undermined and this reflects their immaturity in governing this nation,” he added.
Debate on devp
When asked about the ongoing challenges and counter-challenges by the minority leaders of the Congress and BJP over a threadbare discussion on development and Sangma’s performance, the chief minister said, “Debate is not at my level. What is the strategy of BJP? BJP is insignificant here. So they want to draw the attention. It is as simple as that.”