SHILLONG: A day after former Chief Minister, Mukul Sangma took a dig at the NPP for having links with BJP, the National People’s Party (NPP) State president, WR Kharlukhi has slammed the Congress leader for remaining silent on its relations with the BJP during the tenure of the previous Executive Committee in the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC).
Taking to media persons here on Tuesday, Kharlukhi said, “The Congress seems to have forgotten of its ties with the BJP during the formation of the Executive Committee in the JHADC in 2018. The EC that was formed was a combination among the Congress, UDP, BJP and NPP. But surprisingly, the Congress is mum on its connection with the BJP.”
Slamming the Congress for working with BJP when it suits their interest, he added, “But now they are raising boggie of the BJP.”
When asked if NPP’s alliance with BJP is hurting the image of the party, he said that the party president, Conrad K Sangma was very clear on its association with the BJP.
“The NPP is for the interest of the indigenous people. We are going to fight against any party be it the Congress or BJP if there is threat to the indigenous people,” he said
“We are not hiding like the Congress of its relations with the BJP,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said that the Congress is running short of issue and hence they are raising petty issue by linking the BJP with the NPP in this election.
“The Congress made similar accusations during the Assembly polls in the State last year. I am of the opinion that the former Chief Minister and Congress candidate from Tura Parliamentary, Dr Mukul Sangma should have highlighted on the good things which he had done during his eight years in power,” he said
Stating that many of flagship programmes which Mukul Sangma had initiated were total failure, he said that the previous Congress-led MUA Government was very upbeat while speaking about the initiatives under the Integrated Basin Development Programme.
“One such initiative is the State Aquaculture Mission. But till now Meghalaya is yet to be self sufficient in fish production” he said.
On the remarks of BJP candidate for the Shillong Parliamentary seat, Sanbor Shullai that the various parties would not be able to divorce with the BJP since they would need the party to push for the funds from the Centre, Dr Kharlukhi said that the BJP should be thankful instead since NPP was generous enough to make BJP a part of the MDA coalition
“Whatever funds due for the State would be released by the Centre. The people of the State are contributing by way of indirect and direct tax,” he said.