A day after the Meghalaya BJP demanded arrest of cabinet minister James Sangma for his alleged involvement in illegal smuggling of coal, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong today said that it was wrong to make such allegations in the form of press statements.
Speaking to media persons here today, Tynsong asked the BJP to come to the government with facts so that action could be taken accordingly. He also said that the MDA government headed by NPP in the State is committed to act firmly against illegal activities.
“It is wrong (to allege in the media), and if you have facts, please do not shy away from coming straight to the government. Come to the room of the deputy chief minister also. We are here to serve the people of the State. From day one itself when we took over the government, we have said very clearly that and the principle of the MDA government is against any illegalities,” Tynsong told reporters.
On the allegations of the Meghalaya BJP in the media, Tynsong said that making allegations in the form of press statements is not the solution.
“Let me reiterate that if you have any kind of justification or hard facts, that so and so has done this or that, please come to the government as the door is always open, and then action will be taken accordingly,” he said.
It may be mentioned that yesterday, the Meghalaya BJP had asked Home Minister, Lahkmen Rymbui to order immediate arrest of the people involved in the illegal coal racket which was cracked by the Assam Police. The BJP also sought the arrest of James Sangma on the matter.
“The Home Minister should not act arbitrarily when it has come to light that power minister James Sangma was involved,” BJP vice president, Bernard Marak said in a statement.
Alleging that the Home Minister opposed CBI inquiry in the scams in GHADC, Marak said, “This seems to be the reason why they won’t allow CBI inquiry because they are involved in illegal and unlawful activities.”
Marak said that Rymbui should not hide the high level culprits who are exploiting the public and the coalition partners.
“If James is involved in illegal transportation of coal, he should be immediately arrested along with others,” Marak demanded.
