SHILLONG, June 6: State All India Trinamool Congress chief, Charles Pyngrope said the constituents of the MDA coalition government must take the responsibility for all the wrongs taking place in the state.
“All the MDA allies are equally responsible for whatever is going wrong. The UDP (United Democratic Party) criticising ally (National People’s Party) after being part and parcel of the MDA government is not healthy,” he said.
Pyngrope sought to know on what basis the UDP and the BJP are trying to distance themselves from all the ills of the government.
The UDP’s claim that it is sticking to the MDA due to the fear of President’s Rule does not hold water, he said.
“Let the President’s Rule come. It is not alien for us,” Pyngrope said, advising the UDP and BJP to discuss and rectify any problem internally instead of criticising each other.
“You should make sure all differences are resolved internally once you are part of the ruling coalition. All allies should take the blame equally if anything is wrong,” he said.
With the 2023 polls approaching, the allies have reportedly woken up from their slumber to weigh the possibility of withdrawing support.
While the BJP is split over the move to quit the MDA, the UDP said it would stick to the coalition because “withdrawal of support would mean the imposition of President’s rule”.
The UDP narrative has not gone down well with the NPP and has evoked a sharp rebuttal from Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, who had said the two parties (UDP and BJP) were trying to show the NPP in a bad light as the Assembly elections are a few months away.
“Just because polls are around the corner, they are coming out with such statements. My only question to the UDP leaders is: if the MDA government is so damaging, why are they scared of President’s Rule, which is according to the Constitution of India?” he had said.
No idea Shangpliang, Pale joining UDP: Pyngrope
Pyngrope said he has no idea party MLAs – Himalaya Shangpliang and Shitlang Pale – are joining the United Democratic Party (UDP).
“Till now, there is nothing. The two legislators are yet to inform me or write to me on their plans to leave the party. Whatever I have read about is only through the media,” Pyngrope said.
Media reports suggested the two legislators are in touch with the UDP with an eye on next year’s Assembly elections.
UDP general secretary, Jemino Mawthoh avoided a direct reply when asked about it.
“Different political parties have approached us but we have to understand there are methods that need to be followed. The final decision will be taken at the highest level. The state election committee will sit and take the final call,” Mawthoh said.
Meanwhile, Pyngrope said the AITC has already started its preparations for the polls.
“We are planning to contest from all 60 seats provided we manage to get the right candidates,” he said.
Stating that the AITC is not like other parties that are based only in one region, he said it will not have a problem in getting good candidates since it has its base in both Khasi-Jaintia and Garo Hills regions.
Asked if it is true the UDP is trying to convince him to join the party and contest from Mawryngkneng, Pyngrope said he heard about this move by the UDP leadership.
“None of the UDP leaders has approached me with such an offer,” the AITC state chief, who has already stated he will contest from the Nongthymmai seat, said.
He said AITC leader, Abhishek Banerjee will inaugurate the party’s state office at Lower Lachumiere during his one-day visit on June 16. He said several programmes have been lined up coinciding with the visit.
Banerjee will attend a meeting of party workers from various parts of the state.
“We are expecting over one thousand of our workers to attend the meeting to be held at Soso Tham Auditorium,” Pyngrope said, adding the party will meet on Wednesday and discuss the preparations.
