SHILLONG, Jan 4: The State Congress on Wednesday launched yet another scathing attack on the regional parties for supporting the BJP while accusing them of being complicit in the actions that have been taken against the minorities across the country.
The Meghalaya BJP retorted by reminding the Congress that Chhattisgarh was being ruled by the latter.
The BJP thanked Vincent H Pala and other Congress leaders for raising the issue of atrocities against Christians in Chhattisgarh, a Congress-ruled state. The BJP hit out at the MPCC president for trying to polarise the public and then blaming the BJP for it.
Earlier, referring to the action perpetrated against the minorities in the country, senior Congress leader Ronnie V Lyngdoh said the NPP is a part of the NDA while other regional parties are part of the BJP-led NEDA and hence they have equal responsibility in the events taking place in the country.
“They are also responsible for the actions perpetrated on minorities. They cannot escape. For five years, you have worked together and now you cannot say no,” Lyngdoh said, training his guns on the NPP, the BJP and the regional parties.
Alleging that the religious minorities and tribals are bearing the brunt of the BJP’s polarisation politics, the Congress leader expressed optimism that the people of Meghalaya would reject the BJP as people here want to live peacefully.
“We need development and not polarisation,” he added.
Condemning the recent attack on a church in Chhattisgarh, Lyngdoh said the party has urged the Union and the Chhattisgarh government to take action against the culprits
“This shows the extent of hatred that has been spread in the country,” he said while adding that a letter condemning the incident has already gone to the Prime Minister.
Lamenting that hate speeches were being condoned by the government, he said it had emboldened people to spread more hated. He demanded action against such hate speeches.
Congress leader John A Lyngdoh referred to the “church scan” letter issued by the Special Branch of Assam Police and questioned how an SP would dare to issue such a letter without the authority of the Assam chief minister.
The BJP defended the allegations and asserted that it has always spoken about ‘sabka saath, sabka vikas’ and has always acted in accordance with this principle.
“No BJP scheme or policy has ever discriminated against people on the basis of their religion. There are over 2.5 lakh farmer beneficiaries in Meghalaya who receive Rs 6,000 per year into their accounts. There are more than 1.5 lakh households in Meghalaya that have been connected with tap water. There are more than 60, 000 families in Meghalaya who have received home under the BJP government. Most of these beneficiaries in Meghalaya are Christian, and never has their religion been a hurdle in obtaining these benefits,” a statement from the BJP said.
The BJP pointed out that in Chhattisgarh, which is so daftly ruled by the Congress, the Christians are truly under attack.
“Christian families have had to run away from their homes and live in refugee camps in stadiums and church premises. Churches have been attacked and vandalised. Christians have been attacked and injured. And the Congress government has kicked backed and relaxed. Why Christian life is so cheap in Chhattisgarh when Vincent Pala in Shillong claims that he will fight for the tribals and the Christians?” the BJP questioned.
The BJP also questioned the competency and intent of Vincent Pala and the Congress. “The Congress has had the chance to rule Meghalaya for a major part of the last 50 years of the state’s formation. If the Congress fighting for the interest of the tribals and the Christians have got us literally nowhere in the last 50 years, then one can only imagine that it is simply because the Congressmen are incompetent and guided by mal-intent,” BJP said.
The saffron party also promised to work for Meghalaya and its people and “not disappear after elections and reappear in 5 years like Vincent Pala”.a
