CM justifies meeting Modi, praises NDA

SHILLONG: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has justified his decision to be by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s side when the latter filed his nomination papers from Varanasi on Friday.
Sangma told reporters on Saturday that there is no doubt about the relationship of the NPP with the BJP-led NDA.
“I don’t know why the Opposition is making this an issue. We have been very clear and we have been working with the NDA but that does not mean that we accept everything that is said in the coalition and everything that the NDA and BJP imposes on us,” Sangma said.
Claiming that the NPP and the MDA government will take decisions based on the best interest of the people and will fight what needs to be fought, Sangma, who is also the national president of the NPP, however, appreciated NDA saying a lot of development has taken place in the Northeastern region in the last five years.
He said one should appreciate the works being done by the central government.
Citing an example, he said the central road project- PMGSY- has seen a ten-fold jump in terms of the money sanctioned from Rs 140 crore to Rs 1400 crore for one year itself.
“I think one must realise the good work which has been done,” he said while maintaining that as a party and as the government they will not shy away when it comes to standing for the rights of the people.
“There is a point where we stand against issues and there is a point where we work towards development. We are concerned about the development issue and we will continue to work for the development.
At the same time, we will ensure that our people’s rights are not affected and our people are protected,” he added
Earlier, Congress MLA Zenith M Sangma had criticised Conrad saying BJP fielded its candidates in Meghalaya only to disguise its deep relationship with the NPP, and that too at the instance of Conrad, knowing well that people of Garo Hills are agitated and allergic to the saffron party because of their “evil designs” and anti-people and anti-tribal policies.