SHILLONG, March 6: Former Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on Monday said as his party Trinamool Congress did not get the numbers to lead the government, it will now play the role of a constructive Opposition.
He told journalists every elected representative and political party has the responsibility toward the larger interests of the people and the state.
He denied being approached by the BJP but said there has always been an effort by all political parties to cobble up numbers. He insisted that the political parties remain committed to protecting the interests of people and certain core values in a democracy.
On the demand raised by some pressure groups for a Khasi chief minister, he said the mandate given is for installing a government which is capable of liberating the state from the kind of “plundering” that it went through in the last five years.
“It is not a question of who will be the chief minister. I think there’s a very wrong narrative being generated, perceived and propagated by some sections of the people…
“It is a question of people from the three hills coming together and looking at the binding responsibilities vested upon us through this mandate in ensuring that all that we do is for the larger good of the people and for protecting the interests of the state,” Mukul said.
According to him, the mandate is completely indicative of people’s desire for a change. The mandate in Khasi and Jaintia Hills was for a change, he added.
“As you have witnessed in the preceding five years, the state was subjected to plundering. It has been reflected, carried in the (local) media, electronic and social media, and even, national media,” the Songsak MLA said.
He asked if it is not the responsibility of political parties to understand the sentiments of people.
“Look at the statements of every political party, including BJP. Didn’t BJP speak on the issue of corruption in the state? The BJP’s central leadership had said Meghalaya has become the number one corrupt state,” Mukul said.
Reacting to the decision of PDF and UDP to join the NPP-led coalition, he said these are political dynamics which usually unfold. To another query, he said it remains to be seen if MDA 2.0 will survive its full term.
