Mukul takes digs at Purno on tribal card
Source: The Sangai Express / Ninglun Hanghal

New Delhi, July 02 2012: Chief Minister of Meghalaya , Mukul Sangma today accused PA Sangma, the NDA alliance backed Presidential candidate of manipulating tribal sentiments.

In a scathing attack on PA Sangma, Meghalaya CM today questioned his claim of representing the tribals in the Presidential poll saying the former Lok Sabha Speaker "can't behave like a rogue element" .

Questioning his integrity at a press conference at Delhi Press Club today Mukul Sangma asked ,"What has he ( PA Sangma) contributed to Meghalaya in specific and to the tribals at large ?" while adding that there is no reason to rally behind him.

"Forget about the country or the State (Meghalaya).

I welcome you all to visit his constituency (Tura) from where he got elected (to Lok Sabha) nine times, the kind of development he brought...Forget about the constituency, visit his village and see how much development he has brought there.

He can't behave like a rogue element," Mukul said.

Questioning PA Sangma's claim that he was fighting the Presidential poll as a representative of the tribals, the Chief Minister said, Sangma could have done lots of things to make a difference to the lives of the tribals had he wished as he had occupied several key Constitutional posts in his long political career.

The Meghalaya CM further said that in a democracy, politics revolves around political parties and not individuals.

"India stands as a viable country.

Our country is not governed by individuals, community or religion.

If the country is to be divided on the line of community and religion, there would be chaos everywhere", he said.

As far as tribals in India are concerned, according to Mukul Sangma, they are protected under the Constitution of India.

While charging senior Sangma of playing the tribal card , Junior Sangma asserted that 'tribes' 'community' or 'religion' should not be the defining factor in a democratic country.

Mukul, a fellow Garo tribal from the same Garo Hills district, said the President represents the whole country and not a particular state, community or religion.

When asked whether he was questioning the loyalty of P A Sangma, Mukul said, "every body can read between the lines" .

Speaking about the North East region vis-a-vis development which he said is lagging behind the rest of mainland India, the Meghalaya Chief Minister told reporters that recent development in relation to the neighbouring countries is a "game changer" .

"Members of North East insurgent groups have been nabbed and handed over to India" said Mukul Sangma adding that " Prime Minister's visit to Myanmar was a positive sign" .

Admitting problems of militancy as the main hindrance of development in the region, the CM maintained that tackling problems and issues should not be limited to one state or border and the technology to tackle the problem must be 'affordable' .

The Chief Minister underlined that there is no short cut method to solve problems of insurgency.

Mukul also favoured India's enhanced engagements with neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh, Myanmar saying such ties would open better economic activities between the Northeastern states and these nations.

The Chief Minister advocated an "appropriate law" for protection of the students of the North East region who allegedly face discrimination in other parts of the country very often.

Stating that trade and tourism as one of the key to progress and development in the region , Mukul Sangma stressed upon the need to look towards the east.

(With additional inputs from PTI) .

Comment