SHILLONG: BJP leader Nalin Kohli said Cabinet Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh should be held responsible for the education scam and not those who made recommendations for jobs.
The CBI recently registered a case against Lyngdoh, then principal secretary PS Thangkhiew and others for their alleged role in the education scam.
Many legislators from different political parties had made recommendations for jobs during the teachers’ recruitment.
“There is no common intent on the part of those who made recommendations and the sole responsibility is with the minister who resorted to manipulation,” Kolhi said.
According to Kolhi, those who made recommendations did not tell Ampareen to follow corrupt practices.
BJP denies role
The BJP has also denied any role in the CBI registering the case ahead of polls contradicting the claim of chief minister Mukul Sangma and minister Ampareen Lyngdoh that the timing indicated a “calculated move” by the central investigating agency.
To a question on whether NEEPCO was used to further the cause of BJP as alleged by the chief minister, Kohli said Sangma is desperately trying to deflect attention from the real issues and unfulfilled promises.
Sanbor case
To a question on the FIR lodged against former legislator Sanbor Shullai for appointing his own kith and kin for various jobs in the Assembly, Kohli said, “Everyone should face the law.”
The BJP leader, however, said Shullai is yet to be found guilty as only the probe will reveal this compared to the case of Lyngdoh.
When pointed out about the nepotism angle, Kolhi said, “Then he (Shullai) will get stuck.”
