Newly elected MP from Tura seat Saleng A. Sangma today said that he was happy to be part of the INDIA bloc and has no complaint sitting in the opposition in the Lok Sabha.
“Now, I don’t think this is the first time for me to be in the opposition. I was in the opposition for the whole five years as a lone independent MLA in the State. This time, I have got friends in the parliament. Last time, I was alone but this time, we are a team,” Sangma told media persons here today.
“(As INDIA bloc) we are showing true colour and spirit of democracy so we are sticking together and we will not be tempted by any offer given by BJP or NDA,” he added.
Sangma also expressed happiness that the BJP no longer has a brute majority as in the past.
“Right now, the advantage is that democracy is safe. That is why there is a chance for us and moreover they cannot bulldoze anymore,” he said.
Spelling out his priorities as the newly elected Tura MP, Sangma said that he would be taking up in the parliament long pending issues of the State which include Inner Line Permit (ILP), inclusion of Khasi and Garo languages in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India, to move the Centre for changes in the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) among others.
He also accused former Tura MP Agatha Sangma of not speaking a word about ILP in the parliament.
“ILP issue was taken up by Vincent Pala and not by Agatha. She had only given representation to the minister but she had not spoken a single word (about the ILP issue) on the floor of the House,” he said.
On the contentious CAA issue, the new Tura MP said, “Of course we will be dealing with CAA. The rules have already been notified. But we might be able to make changes so we will call for that and we will discuss with leaders from Delhi on how to go about it as there’s lots of rules and regulations which they have already framed. We will study the matter and see how it can be revoked or changed in some areas.”
‘Truth’ led to Cong win in Tura, says Saleng
Stating that speaking the “truth” has led to Congress’ victory in Garo Hills, newly elected Tura MP Saleng A. Sangma today said that Trinamool Congress (TMC) and other political parties have never supported him during the just concluded Lok Sabha elections.
“It was the truth that we have spoken. We have talked about the Manipur issue, about minority issues, we talked about issues happening in and around and moreover negligence of the State government and the previous MP. That’s what we tried to flash out and speak the truth. We didn’t make any promises or agenda,” he said.
“We made a promise that we will definitely look after our Christian community and all the minorities and sections of the people not only within the State but also within the country,” he added.
Whether BJP supporting NPP was also a factor for his victory, Sangma however said, “No it’s the people only, I don’t want to give credit to any party. It is the people and the church leaders.”
Thanking the people of Garo Hills, the Congress MP said, “They are God fearing people, they are not identified as BJP, NPP, or Congress. They are peace loving people and that’s the reason why they have chosen me to do something, to make a difference.”
