Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today downplayed the threat of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaving the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) governing coalition.
This threat was made recently by the BJP official in charge of Meghalaya, Chuba Ao. However, as the statement was made by an individual and not from the party leadership, Sangma is not too worried about it.
Lashing out at Ao, the CM said that the BJP official is talking from a personal point of view and may have a personal grudge or agenda.
Over four and a half years, the MDA has had its ups and downs but the coalition partners have managed to stick it out together.
“We formed the government with six coalition partners and have been running the government together,” Sangma said. “There may be concerns that the BJP has and we keep discussing and trying to clear the issues and differences and, as chairman of the MDA, it is my responsibility.”
Nationally, the BJP is the biggest constituent party of the MDA even if it only has two MLAs in the 60-member Assembly.
“We respect every party. We give space and independence and we come together for any decision-making. The BJP is a big party, so there may be individuals in certain positions who might have a personal opinion and feelings, which they are free to do so,” Sangma said.
He also brushed aside Ao’s other threat, that the Central Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement Directorate will begin probing the wrongdoings in the state that are the responsibility of the MDA.
“Everybody has been working together, if one is going to allege that MDA is involved in all these things, I think they are forgetting that they’re pointing three fingers at themselves also, while they’re pointing one finger outside,” stated Sangma.
