SHILLONG, Feb 19: “Stadium politics” seems to be hotting up in Tura with the BJP launching an aggressive counterattack at the Sports department’s denial of permission to the saffron party to organise Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally at the PA Sangma Stadium.
BJP argued that a Modi and BJP wave is gripping Meghalaya and this is the reason why some parties here are trying to stall the PM’s rally in Tura.
BJP national general secretary Rituraj Sinha said he was amused how a stadium can be declared “incomplete and unavailable” for use for the PM’s rally just two months after its inauguration by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma.
“Is Conrad Sangma and Mukul Sangma scared of us (BJP)? They are trying to stall the BJP’s wave in Meghalaya. You can try and stop PM’s rally but when Narendra Modi has made up his mind to speak to the people of Meghalaya, no strength in this world can stop him from doing so,” Sinha said.
Sinha said both Conrad and Mukul have been taken aback with the huge turnout of 10,000- 15,000 supporters in BJP rallies at Rangsakona, Dalu or Baghmara while they were only able to attract only 1,500 or 2,000 people.
Attacking the CM, Sinha questioned why he (Conrad) had inaugurated an incomplete stadium in December last year.
He reminded that 90% funding for the Rs 127-crore stadium project was funded by the central government.
Lamenting that corruption was rampant in Meghalaya, he questioned the high assets of politicians in the state.
Stating that UDP chief Metbah Lyngdoh’s asset is more than Rs 100 crore and
James Sangma’s asset is around Rs 50 crore, Sinha wanted to know how these politicians have accumulated so much money when Meghalaya’s per capita income of Rs 58,000 was among the lowest in the country.
Asked if the Centre will order a CBI probe into the scams in the state, Sinha said Meghalaya government has withdrawn general consent for CBI inquiry but once BJP forms the government, current and previous governments and all those who have acquired big homes and cars will be booked.
He accused the TMC of resorting to “election tourism” and said the party from West Bengal is eyeing the 6% votes so that they get the tag of being a national party.
“After March 2, TMC will not be seen anymore in Meghalaya,” he concluded.
