Shillong Sept 15: BJP national spokesperson and party’s in-charge of Meghalaya, Nalin Kohli on Saturday took a jibe at Congress leader and former Meghalaya Chief Minister, Dr Mukul Sangma for claiming that Ayushman Bharat-National Health Protection Scheme launched by the BJP-led NDA government was replicated from the Megha Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS) implemented by the Congress led government in the state.

Last week, Dr Sangma alleged that Ayushman Bharat-National Health Protection Scheme (AB-NHPS) of the NDa government was replicated from Meghalaya’s – Megha Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS) including the bidding document for the implementation of the scheme.

Kohli however ridiculed Dr Sangma and said that the Leader of Opposition in Meghalaya was not able to communicate to the people of Meghalaya and through him to the rest of the country about all the “good works” that they were doing.

“I very rarely believe that people vote out governments that work for them. So when an argument is taken that you are doing good work and people do not acknowledge that (good work), then one wonders, the great work was for whom, for your cadres, for your leaders or for the people?” Kohli asked.

The MHIS is now being converged with the Ayushman Bharat-National Health Protection Scheme by the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government which the BJP is also part of the alliance.

On rise in fuel prices in the country, Kohli defended saying taxes collected on oil would go for building roads and for schemes meant for the poor and in terms of income tax benefits, they are being given to the middle class.

Kohli however said that the NDA government was studying the situation as the spike in fuel prices is on two accounts – one is global factors which are not in India’s control and the second reason is the fall of the Rupee which is part of the global movement of currency.

“We understand and sensitive to the pain that increase in petroleum prices causes, and at the same time there is a recognition that there has to be a holistic view to it. States and the Centre all have to come and take a holistic decision,” he said.

Asked if the hike in fuel prices would bring down the BJP-led NDA government, Kohli defended while referring to the results of the Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh during the demonetization period.“After the demonetization, people said that the BJP will be wiped out but we won Uttar Pradesh in a historic manner. People in India want responsive and responsible government, and the government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi will go to the people and show the work it has done,” the BJP leader said.