SHILLONG, April 16: The state BJP said it is ready to initiate talks with Assam at the party-level on the demand to review the memorandum of understanding (MoU), if approached by the aggrieved people.
Asserting that the BJP is with the people, the party’s state chief Ernest Mawrie said taking up the matter with Assam will not be a problem as it is a BJP-ruled state. Many villages on the interstate border and Himas have opposed the MoU and demanded a review of it.
Countering the charge of opposition All India Trinamool Congress (AITC), Mawrie said, “We are not playing to the gallery but serious about the matter. All previous governments had raised the issue only during elections and they were not serious. Now that the MDA government is working, they are against it.”
Mawrie said Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma had discussed the issue at an all-party meeting before signing the MoU.
He said AITC state president, Charles Pyngrope and Chief Whip, George Lyngdoh were present but did not raise any objection.
He asked why they remained silent when they had the platform to raise objections.
He said they can still submit an appeal or memorandum to the Centre raising their objections.
Earlier, leader of Opposition, Mukul Sangma had attacked the MDA constituents for taking a “safe stand” on the boundary issue.
He had accused them of playing to the gallery and not taking a concrete stand.
Meanwhile, senior United Democratic Party (UDP) leader, Bindo M Lanong claimed the MDA government failed to convince the masses about the boundary deal. He said a right approach really matters, no matter how good the intentions are and how positive the results are expected to be.
Stressing that the will of the people is foremost, Lanong said proper consultations should be held and the government should try and reach out to the people again to convince them about the deal.
The UDP leader said the government’s efforts are in the right direction but getting the border residents on board is a must.
He said the UDP’s stand has been clear from the beginning – solution should be based on historical facts, documents and willingness of the people.
He said if the people, especially the border residents, are approached again and consulted in a proper manner, there are chances that they will accept the solution worked out by the government.
Lanong also said that Mukul Sangma should not oppose the agreement as he, in his long innings as the Chief Minister, allegedly did nothing to solve the issue.