SHILLONG: Chief Minister Mukul Sangma has denied using Health and Family Welfare Minister AL Hek as an emissary to the NDA government at the Centre.
“It is not true that I am using Hek to build a relationship with the NDA Government,” Sangma said on Monday.
According to Sangma, each state enjoys a cordial relationship with the Centre irrespective of whichever party is in power.
“The Prime Minister has always been fair to all the States, big or small. So there is a wrong perception that I am using someone to connect better with the Centre,” the Chief Minister said.
Sangma also said that as the executive head of the State, it was his responsibility to confabulate with the Prime Minister and union ministers to ensure smooth progress of development programmes envisaged by the State Government.
‘Paul Lyngdoh’s
comment in bad taste’
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister said that UDP leader Paul Lyngdoh’s statement that the MUA-II Government was being run single handedly by him was in bad taste. “As the Chief Minister, it is my duty to respond to any query in the August House for transparency and clarity’s sake. I have every right to supplement my ministers in their responses,” Sangma said.
Sangma said that the UDP legislator must not forget that it is the State Government which is replying in the Assembly irrespective of whoever speaks out.
He also said that certain matters are dealt with by the Political department. Hence, response to queries relating to peace pact and resettlement of militants has to come from that department which is under the Chief Minister and not the Home Minister.
