Shillong, Nov 1: Chief minister Mukul Sangma on Wednesday exuded confidence that the Congress will get absolute majority while predicting that the BJP would get zero in the upcoming Assembly election to be held early next year.

Replying to a question regarding the number of seats that the BJP would secure, Mukul said, “I am telling you zero. If you want to bet, I will bet now.”

He whoever exuded confidence that the Congress would get an absolute majority in the 2018 elections, adding that “my analysis is practical and scientific.”

On the allegations of Union minister of state for tourism Alphons Joseph Kannanthanam, also the BJP’s election in-charge of Meghalaya that the chief minister has stolen money of the people, Mukul slammed the Union minister for speaking ill against the government.

“When a Union minister comes here, the travel cost is borne from public exchequer. But an official tour programme was not sent to chief minister nor did the minister try to call on the chief minister, which is the tradition and convention of the state-centre relations. How is it possible for Union ministers to malign the state government? How can a Union minister come and speak like any other person? This is unbecoming and the Prime Minister should take note and stop this exercise. Why is he sending a Union minister to speak against the states? Is this the way of a state-centre relationship?” Mukul asked.

Mukul alleged the NDA government of vitiating the environment of democracy.

Commenting on demonetisation of high value currency notes which will complete one year on November 8, the chief minister asked, “Has black money stopped? If demonetisation was undertaken to stop black money to bring down corruption and prevent funding of terrorist organisations, has it happened? Has there been any sign indicating achievement in this direction? The BJP has some other objectives and untold agendas which would be known in due course of time.”

With the BJP planning to observe “anti-black money day” on November 8 to mark the first anniversary of the Centre’s decision to demonetise high value currency notes, Mukul said, “the Congress will also organise some programme to remind the people about the anti-people agenda of the BJP and its associates like the Shiv Sena and NPP.”

On Aadhar number, Mukul said that he also asked for reports that there were some families that have stopped availing government schemes and stopped sending children to school because of the Aadhaar enrolment.
He said that he himself has not enrolled for Aadhaar.

The chief minister was of the view that the Centre should address the problems of illegal immigration in Meghalaya, Assam and other states of the Northeast while pushing for Aadhaar enrolment.

He said that he also shared the concern over the Aadhar enrolment where right to privacy came into the picture.
“Right to privacy is important, or else the whole idea of democracy gets diluted,” Mukul said.

Mukul informed that the Aadhaar issue was also discussed with Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal and agreed to move together on this issue.

“The Northeast is in a situation which is different from others in the country. Illegal immigration is a common concern of Meghalaya, Assam and the entire Northeast,” he added.