Shillong, Oct 4: BJP legislator, Sanbor Shullai on Friday reiterated the stand of his party that the Centre should consult with the state party before sanctioning Central schemes for Meghalaya and asked the People’s Democratic Front (PDF) which is part of the coalition government not to panic on this issue.

PDF leader and minister in-charge urban affairs, Hamletson Dohling had questioned the claim of Shullai that all central schemes for Meghalaya before approving by the Centre should be first scrutinized thoroughly in consultation with leaders of the BJP Meghalaya unit.

Dohling said that schemes proposed by the state government should be approved by the Centre and the state of Meghalaya cannot be a personal asset of any political party, while referring to the BJP.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Shullai while countering Dohling said that he stood by his statement that central schemes for Meghalaya should be approve by Centre in consultation with the state BJP.

“The PDF should not panic on this issue, but should ensure that all schemes sanctioned by the Centre are implemented properly. What is wrong with the minister (Dohling)? He should not be panic because I have maintained that any scheme sanctioned by the Centre, the state BJP has the right to request the Centre to consult and intimate us to ensure that the schemes are properly implemented for the interest of the people which is as per the party manifesto,” Shullai said.

He also said that he agreed with the statement of Dohling that Meghalaya is not a personal asset of any political party because the government in the state was formed by various political parties which include the PDF and the BJP.

“But government at the Centre is the property of BJP which is ruling the country with 303 MPs. Therefore it was not illegal on our part to suggest the BJP-led government at the Centre to consult with the state BJP for sanctioning of central schemes, and there should be an implementation and monitoring committee to ensure that schemes are properly implemented in Meghalaya,” Shullai said.

The PDF and BJP are part of the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government.

Shullai even urged urging all ministers of the MDA government to see that all schemes are implemented properly and without fail.

Shullai, who is the MLA of South Shillong constituency, also said that Dohling who looks after the urban department, should see that central schemes for urban areas are implemented successfully by also ensuring the quality of work.

“Being an MLA from the urban areas, I am very much interested about schemes for urban development. I can also help the minister in monitoring the implementation of schemes to ensure there is quality of work and also generate employment. Any tender should encourage local contractors or suppliers and not people from outside the state,” Shullai stated.

Shullai however clarified that the BJP is not at all in loggerhead with the PDF in as far as the Shella bypoll is concerned.

Shullai however said the PDF is in loggerhead with the UDP, by judging from the statement given by Agriculture minister, Banteidor Lyngdoh on the demand to create new district.

Shullai said that the he made had made the statement on Central schemes during the filing of nominations of BJP candidate for Shella bypoll, Joshua Warjri because he wanted to send the message to the people of Shella that the electorates should vote for the BJP not team B or team C so that financial assistance for developmental activities would come to Shella directly from Delhi with the help of the state BJP.

“We urge the people of Shella that if Warjri is elected, the state BJP will champion in taking proposals related to development of Shella constituency directly to Delhi,” Shullai said.

He also claimed that in this upcoming bypoll to Shella, other candidates are fighting against the BJP candidate.

“Our candidate is poor, but he works hard for the party in Shella. Along with Jropsing Nongkhlaw who was the candidate of the party from Shella, Warjri had helped in increasing the enrollment of BJP members in Shella constituency. Now we have nearly 5,000 BJP members in Shella constituency,” Shullai said.

Shullai also said that when he fought the Lok Sabha elections from Shillong constituency he polled more than 4000 votes even without campaigning in Shella.

“We hope that our candidate will win in this bye election with the support of the people, and Shella constituency will set an example for other constituencies,” Shullai added. (EoM)