SHILLONG: While the MDA partners including UDP and PDF have demanded the removal of James Sangma as the Home Minister over the issue of illegal transportation of coal, the NCP president, and leader of the United People’s Front (UPF), Saleng Sangma has said that only one minister can’t be blamed for any illegal activity and it is the whole Cabinet which should be responsible for such illegal activity.
Speaking to media here, Saleng said that illegal activities were taking place right from the tenure of the previous government but many people did not point it out and they are pointing it out only now and their objective is not in the interest of the state but for their own selfish interest.
Citing an instance, he said that there were random illegal cutting of trees in forests in West Khasi Hills and the forest cover has decreased in recent times but what the Forest Minister is going to do about it.
“Ministers in the Cabinet cannot point fingers at one another and they should be equally responsible for misdeeds of any other ministers as decisions are taken jointly in the Cabinet,” he said
He also said that there were many projects in the irrigation sector which were not functioning and even the revenue of the state was down but only the Revenue Minister couldn’t be blamed for it.
Making it clear that he is neither with James Sangma nor he is supporting him, he said, “I want the system to be corrected. I stand with people so that illegal activities and corruption activities should not be there and our state is going down for which I feel sad.”
Echoing similar views, NPP MLA from Phulbari, SG Esmatur Mominin said that one man should not be blamed for any illegal activity.
“I feel that there is no involvement of the Home Minister in all these illegal activities and we know HM for long and we think that he is not involved in any of such activities,” Mominin said.
The Phulbari MLA also said that such allegations may be the handiwork of the Opposition even as he admitted that there were some misunderstandings between the ministers which would be resolved very soon.