Hek admits unhappiness within MDA over corruption issue

Shillong Feb 7: Health Minister, A L Hek said that allegations of corruption has led to ‘unhappiness’ within the coalition Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government.

Hek said that it is the first time in the history of Meghalaya that this serious issue was also discussed in the Cabinet on removal of minister or changing of portfolios.

“It is his prerogative of the chief minister and he has to take a call on the concerns of the alliance partners whether to drop the minister or reshuffle the portfolios,” Hek said.

Hek who is from the BJP, however said that his party would take a call on staying away from the MDA only after the allegations of corruption are proven.

He also set aside rumours that the BJP along with other coalition partners would withdraw support from the MDA.

The MDA government has been formed in March 2018 by the National people’s Party (NPP), United Democratic Party (UDP), People’s Democratic Front (PDF), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Hill State people’s Democratic Party (HSPDP), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Independents.

There have been allegations of corruption because of the alleged illegal transportation of coal. Fingers are being pointed out at ministers of the MDA government which include home minister, James K Sangma and transport minister, Sniawbhalang Dhar over their inability to stop the alleged illegalities.

Hek said that any allegation until and unless it is proven, it cannot be concluded as corruption.

“We see many are alleging there is huge corruption in the coal issue. Since the CBI inquiry has come and the Meghalaya Lokayukta has taken up the matter, if corruption is proven, we from the BJP will take a decision on what needs to be done on whether to continue support or pull out of the MDA government. Anything which involves corruption, the BJP is unhappy but it has to be proven first,” he said.