James rejects TMC debate challenge

SHILLONG, Oct 10: Health Minister James PK Sangma followed Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong in rejecting the challenge from Trinamool Congress (TMC) spokesperson Saket Gokhale for a debate on the alleged irregularities and scams in Meghalaya.
If ministers start engaging in debates, there would hardly be anyone to come to the Secretariat and work, he said.
Appreciating the concerns highlighted by Gokhale, James Sangma said challenging the CM and the Deputy CM is unnecessary since both are accessible to the media and they answer all the queries of journalists.
Gokhale had challenged the CM for an open debate in front of the media on the smart electricity meters, “contractor cronyism” in the Meghalaya Assembly dome collapse, irregularities in Shillong Smart City Ltd, the Saubhagya scheme and police vehicle scam.
James Sangma slammed the TMC for claiming to represent the voices of the people by “hijacking some MLAs” and not contesting a single election in the state.
He also downplayed Congress’s claim that the people are fed up with the MDA.
“Such narratives will fall flat when the elections come. People who stay in glass houses should not throw stones at others,” he said, adding the opposition is also answerable for the very accusations it is hurling at the MDA or the National People’s Party.
It is wrong to make unsubstantiated claims, he added.
Asked about the NPP’s alleged failure in submitting its election expenditure details to the Election Commission of India, the health minister said the party has been doing its “homework”.
He trashed the TMC’s allegations about irregularities in the construction of the NPP office. “Our party follows rules and we are aware of our responsibilities,” he said.
On the continued opposition to the Meghalaya Gaming Act, James, who also holds the Taxation portfolio, said the state government would hold a meeting with the church leaders to discuss how to take things forward.
He said it is important for the government to listen to the concerns of the church leaders.
The Khasi Jaintia Christian Leaders’ Forum (KJCLF) recently organised a special prayer on Friday for the cessation of the casino gaming industry and the repeal of the related Act.
The KJCLF is concerned over the “lukewarm attitude” of the government to the closure of the casino gambling industry and the repeal of the Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming Act, 2021.