SHILLONG, May 31: Citing corruption and irregularities as major factors and reiterating their commitment to zero tolerance against corruption, State BJP president Ernest Mawrie on Tuesday said the party will shortly take a call on whether to pull out of the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance or remain in the coalition and convey the decision to the central leadership for a final call.
Informing that during the recent executive meet of the State BJP, all the executive members and district party presidents had suggested in the presence of national general secretary Ajay Jamwal to withdraw from the MDA coalition, Mawrie said, “I will call a meeting with our two MLAs and take a final decision on this matter in a day or two. We will take the consent of both the legislators and relay our decision to Delhi and wait for their direction.”
Reminding that during the formation of the MDA government in 2018, all the central leaders from Delhi were present, Mawrie said, “We have to intimate them before withdrawing support. They will decide whether we should remain in the MDA or pull out.”
Mawrie said it is the opinion of almost everyone in the party that one after another, cases of irregularities have been popping up. “So many incidents have come out in the press. So let the people see and find out what is happening in the state,” he added.
On reports about a possible split in the party with regard to the decision on staying in the MDA or pulling out, Mawrie said, “These are mere speculation. We do not have any split. We are intact and together.”
Initiate probe against politicians named in coal racket
The State BJP on Tuesday demanded that the state government should initiate an independent inquiry against political leaders who have been accused of indulging in the coal racket or irregularities.
“An inquiry into those names that has come up and are allegedly involved is a must,” Mawrie said, referring to the Guwahati-based news channel which ran a story of clever manipulation of system, relating to siphoning off Meghalaya’s coal resources to Bangladesh and reaffirming that the infamous coal trader Balwant Soni alias Bhama had deep ties with Health Minister James Sangma.
“I have seen media reports and the name of James Sangma was mentioned. I do not have anything to say but we are against illegal transportation of coal and they have to honour the directions of the NGT and Supreme Court,” he said.
Pointing out that the state government has been directed to use CCTV and scan all coal-laden vehicles, he said that during the recent MDA coordination meeting he had requested the CM to stop illegal transportation of coal.
“I have seen so many statements, especially from the Opposition, about some political parties being involved. I want to clarify that the BJP does not have any link with this,” he said.
“Already the High Court has given orders. So let the government decide whether it should inquire into these illegalities or not.”