Sonia stays within Laxman Rekha of protocol
Source: The Sangai Express / S Singlianmang Guite
Lamka, November 12 2010:
AICC President Sonia Gandhi today inaugurated, the Khuga dam, one of the longest running projects in the State at a ceremony that barely lasted for ten minutes and was attended by a handful of reporters and about half a dozen people.
Landing on the temporary helipad here at 11.25 am, the heavily guarded Congress president cut the inaugural ribbon at 11.30 and immediately unveiled the graphite plaque where her name is prominently engraved.
Thereafter she proceeded to open the dam's gate number 3 as was done earlier by the Congress North East in-charge Faleiro and Chief Minister O Ibobi during the run-up to the inaugural ceremony.
The AICC chief then headed towards the IAF chopper that took her here.
Asked repeatedly, what message she has for the people, Sonia turned towards the waiting reporters who were in fenced, in the media enclosure, and responded, 'It is my hope that when this project is complete, the people of this area will find a new future, new life.
I am told that irrigation will be given to the whole area; that should bring more progress for all the inhabitants' .
We live in a democratic country, so everyone has the right to do as he or she pleases,' she said when asked about the 'boycott' of her visit.
It is quite surprising that Sonia Gandhi chose to use the words, 'when this project is complete,' while addressing the media moments after she inaugurated the dam that has been dogged by several controversies.
Meanwhile, the district in-charge Power Minister T Phungzathang gave due credit to the local people for their in ensuring the event a success.