SHILLONG, Dec 16: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress, known for their political rivalry, seem to be on the same page in Meghalaya when it comes to smelling a rat in the National People’s Party’s intent to distribute money under the FOCUS and FOCUS+ programmes, especially with Assembly elections just around the corner.
Days after BJP chief Ernest Mawrie accused the NPP of cashing in on the FOCUS programme to gain political mileage, Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) chief Vincent H Pala has now said that the distribution of funds under the FOCUS and FOCUS+ programmes is an act of desperation by the NPP to garner votes from people.
“The NPP knows that they will not get the support of the people since it has done nothing in the past five years. They are distributing money to the people from the loans which they have taken,” Pala said while talking to reporters here on Friday.
It may be mentioned that the BJP had also alleged that the money, which is being distributed under FOCUS and FOCUS+ programmes, is the loan amount taken from the Centre. However, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma had counter-claimed that the money that is being distributed under FOCUS and FOCUS+ is not loan but grant-in-aid.
Meanwhile, continuing his attack on the government, Pala accused the NPP of wasting public money.
He argued that the money could have been better utilised in the development of infrastructures in health, education and other important sectors of Meghalaya.
Accusing the NPP of luring people by giving them Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000, the MPCC chief said, “It is really unfortunate that they are using the government scheme for their election propaganda.”
Meanwhile, Pala informed that the Congress will try to educate people against falling prey to such tactics of the government.
“We will not tell people not to take the money since it is their money,” Pala said.
Meanwhile, the MPCC chief said that the All India Congress Committee (AICC) is expected to approve the State Election Committee (SEC) by next week.
According to him, the SEC will immediately meet to finalise the party candidates, which have been recommended from various districts.
“We would want to release the first list of candidates before the Election Commission of India (ECI) announces the dates for the Assembly polls in the state,” Pala said.
According to him, the party has almost finalised its candidates in 54 constituencies.
“We will be releasing the names of 40 candidates in the first list. The remaining names will be released in the second and third lists,” the MPCC chief said, adding that this time they will not delay the release of the names of party candidates unlike previous elections.
Earlier, Pala had formally inducted the new office-bearers to the Nongthymmai Block Congress Committee (NBCC) during a meeting at Nongthymmai Indoor Sports Stadium.
The MPCC chief, on the occasion, also announced the candidature of NBCC president Dr. Banidashisha Kharkongor from Nongthymmai constituency for the upcoming elections.