SHILLONG: Outgoing Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, has alleged that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has brought the regional parties together to piggy ride on them and fire from their shoulder in the state after forming the Government.
Addressing his last Press conference in the capacity of the Chief Minister here on Monday, Mukul Sangma said that the NPP was forming the Government courtesy BJP.
When asked if Congress can turn the tables to create a Congress-led Government once again in Meghalaya, Sangma said that in a football match there were certain players who could create a turn around and Congress too had the wherewithal to create a turnaround in any given situation and whenever needed.
When asked the reason of UDP’s rejection for an alliance with Congress, Sangma who has remained state’s Chief Minister continuously for almost 8 years, said that the UDP was offered two options — the party was offered asked to head the government with Congress providing the support for stability else the UDP leadership was offered to head the government for a period of two and half years while Congress would have lead for the remaining portion of the tenure.
“They told us that we are too late in discussing the matter and they also doubted the stability of the Congress, “Sangma said while maintaining that historically such coalition arrangements formed by NPP with so many partners will not be capable of providing stability in the state.
According to Sangma, UDP president, Donkupar Roy told him that the matter for an alliance between UDP and HSPDP should have been held earlier but Mukul Sangma reminded him that he had said that discussion for alliance would be held at a later stage.
Meanwhile, Sangma said there would be tremendous responsibility on the new dispensation adding that the most important thing which Congress Government did in the state was setting up of a new benchmark for the growth and development of the State.
“I will expect them to carry forward the momentum of growth and ensure that it is not dislocated,” he said.
According to Sangma whenever a new dispensation comet to power, they should always examine and study various initiatives which were taken by their predecessors for the state and the new dispensation should do the same with regards to IBDLP initiative of the Congress Government and if they feel it’s good, they should continue with it.
Sangma also alleged that some political parties tried to take undue advantage of the issue of killing of NCP candidate Johnathone Sangma by the GNLA militants by accusing the Congress for it and certain people even went to the extent of dragging the name of the Chief Minister into the incident which was unfortunate and uncalled for
“Just for the purpose of seeking votes, they misled and misinformed people but we must remember that terrorist will be a terrorist and they are nobody’s friend and everybody’s enemy,” Sangma said.
When asked if he would join BJP, he said, “Until Christ comes.. its as blunt as that..”
According to Sangma, he is very happy with the fact that the Congress was able to restore peace and hope in the state and facilitate a conducive environment in the state which now must be exploited to take the state forward.
When asked as to which seats will he quit since he has been elected from Songsak as well as Ampati, he said that he would discuss the matter with the people before taking a call.