Conrad joins chorus, tells BJP can leave MDA

Shillong, Oct 19: The bickering between the coalition partners National People’s Party (NPP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government on Monday is likely to blow into a major political issue with no less than, the Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma hitting out at the BJP.

Sangma who is the national president of the NPP, told reporters that the state BJP leaders going to the media with allegations was ‘irresponsible’, when the doors of his office were open for discussion.

The NPP leader also echoed Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong’s view that if the party was “not happy”, it could leave the coalition.

It may be mentioned that the State BJP leaders have alleged that there are illegalities in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council and Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council and transportation of coal

“In politics, commitment given to coalition partners is very important. We respect the sentiments of our coalition partners, so there is no question of thinking that we are in a better position or somebody else is not,” Sangma said.

Sangma said that as ‘chairman’ of the MDA it was his responsibility to take the coalition partners together and make himself available to hear their concerns and work on a possible solution.

“As a chairman of the MDA, I am very much willing to discuss all the matters, but one must act in a responsible manner,” he underscored.

Meanwhile, BJP MLA from South Shillong, Sanbor Shullai came out in support of Sangma stating that the coalition have always supported the Chief Minister who also happens to be the chairman of the present day coalition and have put their trust and faith in him and other allies.

In a letter addressed to State BJP president Ernest Mawrie, Shullai said that the present political development arising out of the continuous statements made against the state government by the BJP’s state office bearers have created a sense of uneasiness in the minds of the people.

“The alliance partners – NPP and UDP – are also part of the Northeast Democratic Alliance (NEDA) in the region. Such continuous public threats through media houses, puts a huge question mark over the decisions made by the central leadership at the start of the alliance,” the BJP legislator said.

Shullai informed that during the core committee meet on October 2 it was decided that henceforth all press statements against the government should be made only after taking into confidence both the elected MLAs and through appropriate and accepted forum.

The South Shillong legislator said, “However inspite of the decision being taken repetitive press statement is being giving time and again by the state office bearers which are in violation of the resolution adopted during the core committee meet.”