SHILLONG: In a bid to garner support for the BJP in the state, Union Minister of State for Tourism, Alphons Kannanthanam who was on a visit to the state met religious leaders on Friday and Saturday.
On Friday, he met the Archbishop, the heads of the Catholic Church, the Presbyterian Church Pastor and on Saturday met the Chief of HIma Khyriem, Paiem Balajied Syiem.
“The Syiem represents the people, its culture and its traditions. We are meeting members of all the communities and want to know exactly what they want from us,” he told reporters on Saturday.
“We want to bring people here together in our efforts to make Meghalaya one of the biggest tourism destinations so that we can create jobs for all people who can live with dignity,” he added.
“The government of India will be very happy to support the state tourism department to make this place a popular global destination,” he said in the presence of Paiem.
As for the meeting with the leaders, Alphons said that the aspirations of the people could be fulfilled only if there was an honest government which is the most important thing to make a difference in the state.
“We are here to listen. We are not here to impose anything. We listen to people on what is it that they require in terms of help from the government of India,” Alphons said.
He informed that corruption had been the main concern voiced by the religious leaders to him. “Look at the conditions of the roads here, there is no infrastructure, government employees are not given salary, young people from Meghalaya have to go out to study,” he said.
He observed that people have been looking forward to a corruption free government which is the most fundamental thing. “Our policy is very simple, the people of the state will decide what they want to do, that has been the basic premise of the BJP,” he added.
Earlier, during a press briefing on Friday, Alphons denied the claims that his appointment was to appease the majority Christian population in the state.
“I am not here to appease anybody. The government is not trying to appease anybody. I am a practicing Christian and have an excellent relationship with the Church and I like getting in touch with people,” he said.
Reacting to this query, Nakin Kohli said, “I find it hilarious when there is no Christian Minister, you say that the government is anti-Christian and when there is Christian Minister, you say it is to appease.”
Alphons informed that he would meet all community leaders to share the “dream” of New India that the PM Narendra Modi has.
