SHILLONG, Dec 11: The state BJP has questioned the source of funding of the National People’s Party (NPP), claiming that while Meghalaya is revenue-deficit, the Conrad K Sangma-led party is spending hundreds of crores of rupees for elections in other states.
“In the last few elections in Arunachal, Nagaland, Manipur, Goa or Sikkim, the NPP set up its candidates and spent crores. So, where is the funding coming from, if not Meghalaya?” senior BJP legislator AL Hek asked.
He said for a party from the revenue-deficit Meghalaya, funding crores during elections in other states is not feasible.
“Look at the amount of scam. I don’t think anybody can give crores and crores from his own pocket to spend in elections,” Hek said, reacting to a query if the NPP is using its funds.
“Where do we have the industries in Meghalaya? Who are the investors who can support such a political party? So, where does such amount come from?” the BJP leader asked.
He said if a party from Meghalaya contests elections all over the country, it will surely raise eyebrows on the source of funding.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma is relentlessly trying to expand the NPP beyond Meghalaya and the Northeast. He is fielding candidates in almost all states in the Northeast. Now, he has set his sights on Tripura and Karnataka.
Meanwhile, the BJP alleged the NPP has been stifling the voices of the saffron party and other smaller parties in the MDA on issues such as corruption and irregularities.
“If we talk about BJP, we have only two MLAs and only one is in the Cabinet. So, what do you expect? Whenever we tried to raise our voice, it was suppressed,” Hek said.
He said the fact that the NPP was in no mood to listen to other parties was evident from the BJP raising the issues of “large-scale corruption and irregularities” through the media.
The BJP legislator claimed corruption in the state government is glaring and it is seen by the people of the state.
Reminding how the BJP was the first to go against the alleged corrupt practices, he said the party had, time and again, demanded an independent probe into the various charges of corruption but the government ignored it on some pretext or the other.
“We have not and will not remain silent. We will continue to raise our voice for the people and the state,” Hek said, adding that no matter how much the government denies, the public knows the truth.
On BJP Meghalaya in-charge M Chuba Ao’s statement three months ago about the party’s move to pull out of the government, Hek said, “I foresee it coming anytime soon, but we are waiting for the final nod from the Centre.”
