SHILLONG: Congress minority leader Rejaul Laskar has criticised BJP’s Hayithung Bill Lotha for using “intemperate language” against Chief Minister Mukul Sangma.
In a statement to the media issued on Monday, Laskar said Lotha could level allegations against Sangma and call him a dictator without reprisal whereas in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh, “are being arrested and tortured by police for even benign criticism of BJP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath”.
“Is this not proof enough of the fact that Mukul Sangma does not have dictatorial attitude,” asked Laskar.
Lotha has called Sangma money-minded and the most corrupt chief minister in the country “who has lost his political balance”. He also accused Sangma of practising dynastic politics.
Laskar said in his statement that it was an insult to the people of Meghalaya and by inviting the chief minister for debate on corruption BJP is trying to distract him from development works.
“Lotha is yet to respond on the dilution of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, and atrocities on Christians and other minorities in India after the NDA came to power in 2014,” said the AICC observer for Meghalaya.
Talking about the debate challenge, Laskar said, “I have not heard from Lotha on this. I would like to remind him that I am still waiting for his response.”