NEW DELHI/KOLKATA: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said on Saturday it was natural for alliance partners to have differences occasionally as India is a diverse country.
“The BJP-led NDA supported my father during the presidential election in 2012. Since India is a diverse country, it is natural that we will have occasional differences. For example, we have openly expressed our differences with the BJP on the Citizenship Amendment Bill,” he said while addressing the India Today Conclave East 2018 in Kolkata.
The NPP-led alliance government in Meghalaya has regional partners, UDP, HSPDP and PDF, beside BJP, NCP and independents.
Talking about the political scenario in the North East, Sangma emphasised the need for a pan-North East party. “There are no doubts that we share the national ethos but there are issues specific to the region that need special attention,” he said.
On a lighter note, Sangma said he was an “accidental chief minister”.
“Then prevailing political situation in Meghalaya was responsible for me becoming the chief minister of the state,” he added while replying to a question.
At the session ‘Building Bridges – Plugging into the Network’, Sangma was also asked about the hill state not having a woman head since its formation despite it having a matrilineal society. He was also questioned about his sister Agatha Sangma’s political career.
Sangma said his candidature was decided by the coalition partners.
Like his predecessor Sangma sang three songs at the conclave when he was reminded about the achievements of the Shillong Chamber Choir.
The young head of the state aptly sang Beatles’ Let It Be followed by two Bollywood numbers – Baar Baar Dekho, Hazaar Baar Dekho from China Town of the black and white era and Jab Koi Baat Bigad Jaaye from Jurm. The second song was on request from India Today TV anchor and senior journalist Rajdeep Sardesai who was interviewing Sangma.
Before Sangma, Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb accepted a challenge from India Today TV managing editor Rahul Kanwal and did 45 push-ups at one go. Chief Minister of Manipur showed his skill in football and his Arunachal Pradesh counterpart, Pema Khandu, sang Hindi songs. (With inputs from PTI)
