After weeks of mudslinging between political parties in the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA), the constituent members have resolved to stop attacking each other in public, it was announced today.
The MDA held a coordination committee meeting here today wherein it was decided that the coalition partners will discuss any issues that arise with each other instead of raising them in the court of public opinion.
“Only if the situation is not resolved can we take further steps, but the first step should be to discuss within the coordination committee and within the government,” Chief Minister and National People’s Party (NPP) chief Conrad K Sangma said.
The two Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators – AL Hek and Sanbor Shullai – also assured the alliance that they will work together with the other partners. The BJP state leadership, in the former of President Ernest Mawrie and Vice-President Bernard Marak, have been vocal recently with regards to alleged corruption in the autonomous district councils besides opposing cabinet decisions, such as that to create a central bonded warehouse.
The committee also discussed the Covid-19 situation in Meghalaya as well as the setting up of entry-exit checkpoints.
The coalition partners expressed concern regarding the Covid situation, with special regard to the hurdles faced by people while entering the state.
The Chief Minister also said that the coalition partners have once again reiterated their confidence in the MDA and they have once again confirmed their commitment to support the government to the end of its term and to ensure that all government agendas are taken forward.
On the issue of reshuffling ministerial berths between the two BJP legislators, Sangma said that there were cases with certain political parties where agreements to share cabinet berths were brought to his notice.
“Therefore, as the Chairman of the MDA and as the Chief Minister, it is my duty to ensure that the understanding which was made known to me at the beginning of the term by certain political parties is implemented,” he said. However, there is a second category of agreements that were not intimated to him and proceeding on these will be decided by the relevant political party, the CM added.
