Corruption in Meghalaya has been institutionalised under the rule of the National People’s Party (NPP) and its allies, with every sector marred by scams, the Congress Party alleged today.
The All India Congress Committee (AICC) Joint Secretary Anthony Mathew said this while addressing a press conference here today.
He said that the Congress’s political executive committee discussed “rampant corruption” under the NPP-led state government, which has been in power since 2018. Mathew alleged that every sector, from water supply to rural employment schemes, has been affected by scams. He claimed that the rising cost of living and increasing difficulties faced by citizens are direct consequences of this supposedly unchecked corruption.
Blaming the Chief Minister for failing to control his administration, Mathew said large-scale corruption reportedly emanating from the CM’s office has rendered lower-level accountability impossible. The Congress has resolved to investigate these issues further and bring them to the forefront in the interest of the people of Meghalaya, he added.
Mathew also took aim at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), blaming the ruling party at the Centre for unjustly pursuing the Gandhi family over the National Herald and Associated Journals Ltd case.
Mathew alleged that the BJP has been misusing central agencies, particularly the Enforcement Directorate (ED), to fabricate cases against the Congress, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. He asserted that the case in question lacks any factual evidence, involves no monetary transactions or government involvement since its inception and is being used as a political tool to malign the image of the Congress.
The ED accused the Gandhis of forming a shell company to illegally acquire assets of the National Herald parent company worth more than Rs 2,000 crore for just Rs 50 lakh.
Mathew said the BJP’s actions are driven by its insecurity about retaining power, despite temporary electoral gains based on propaganda and right-wing fundamentalism. The Congress continues to hold a strong emotional and historical connection with the people of India, including those in Meghalaya, he added.
