Zenith grills regional parties over stand on graft issues

SHILLONG, June 8: Congress Spokesperson and Rangsakona MLA, Zenith Sangma, has criticised the regional parties supporting the MDA Government while questioning their stand on the ‘corruption’ issue concerning the state, particularly the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL).
“Are they really serious? Or are they just playing to the gallery?” the Rangsakona MLA said in a statement issued here.
In a scathing criticism of the Conrad Sangma-led government, the Congress spokesperson cast aspersions on the leadership of the current dispensation while pointing at the commotion over the decision to outsource MeECL’s two profit-making distribution circles.
“It’s going out of hand. Even during this pandemic, when every citizen is fighting with COVID-19, the leadership in the MeECL is working overtime to sell off the entire MeECL, its assets, allegedly at the behest of Chief Minister Mr. Conrad Sangma, and the Minister of Power Mr. James Sangma,” Zenith Sangma alleged.
“The present government led by Mr. Conrad Sangma is not supposed to be allowed to continue even for a single day. It has become very dangerous. I am telling you if they are allowed to be in the government, within the next 4 to 5 months, they will sell off the MeECL and they are firm,” he added.
Zenith maintained that if this is not stopped, “we will have to go to the people, organise a massive agitation programme across the state of Meghalaya”.
“Why are we here? We also have the responsibility to play the role of a constructive opposition, so we cannot just be a silent spectator and we have to take a call at an appropriate time,” the Congress spokesperson asserted.
It may be mentioned that of late, there has been clamouring over the government’s move to hand over two distribution circles of the MePDCL, Shillong and Jowai distribution circles, to Rural Electrification Corporation Power Distribution Company Limited.
The move has drawn flak for the state government from several fronts. Seven legislators from Jaintia Hills including three Cabinet ministers — Sniawbhalang Dhar, Kyrmen Shylla and Lahkmen ymbui — have also unanimously opposed the government’s decision to outsource the MeECL’s distribution circles.