SHILLONG: Opposition Congress has been caught faltering when it comes to speaking in one voice over government’s handling of the COVID crisis. After party General Secretary Zenith Sangma lashed at the government for its alleged failure, on Wednesday party Chief Whip, PT Sawkmie had a somewhat different view.
Quite unlike other party men, Sawkmie made an appeal for restraint against statements directed at health workers. “People are confused about the virus. If we the leaders speak against the health workers people will be more confused. We have to restrain (ourselves),” Sawkmie said.
Pointing out that the DHS (MI) Dr Aman War along with Health Minister AL Hek and other health officials had been visiting each and every locality and monitoring the situation continuously, Sawkmie made an appeal to all concerned for cooperation.
Clarifying the stand of the opposition Congress, Sawkmie said, “From Congress we give our suggestions and ideas and it does not mean we are finding faults. We want them to rectify”.
Ironically Congress Spokesperson Zenith Sangma has been taking pot shots at the current regime for, what he called, mishandling the COVID situation, while he himself had attended three rounds of meeting with the state government after which the Congress had expressed satisfaction with the steps taken by the State government.
Another Congress MLA HM Shangpliang had expressed satisfaction over handling of pandemic in the state after a joint meeting called by Speaker Metbah Lyngdoh. He too did not spare the government subsequently.
Replying to the ruling coalition’s appeal to the opposition to not play politics with the COVID situation, Sawkmie quipped, “Elections is very far. What politics? We will play when election comes near”.
“For now what is important is to ensure safety and get people on track,” Sawkmie said further adding that it has been four months now and people are suffering economically.
