SHILLONG, MAR 13: GNC legislator Clifford R Marak threatened to make an ‘election issue’ because of the failure of the state government to declare the death anniversary of the first chief minister of the state (L) Captain Williamson A Sangma as a state holiday.
Marak made the statement in the floor of the assembly after the GAD minister HDR Lyngdoh expressed the inability of the government to have more holidays during the course of his reply to motion in the assembly on Thursday.
“It cannot be accepted since precious working days would be lost,” Lyngdoh said.
Marak had moved the motion seeking consideration from the government on the need to observe the death anniversary of Captain Sangma as a state holiday.
Just after the minister replied, Marak stood up and said, “People must know that the Congress does not respect Captain Sangma and I will take this up in the next election.”
Earlier, moving the motion, Marak recalled the contribution of Captain Sangma as a pioneer leading the struggle for the creation of Meghalaya state. “We can call him the father of Meghalaya and the present generation must also know this leader,” he said.
Replying to this Lyngdoh said, “Undoubtedly, Captain Sangma is highly respected by the people of Meghalaya. His leadership and contribution to the growth and development of the state will also be remembered.”
However, the minister said that since the state has already declared 22 days general holidays, two restricted holidays and three local holidays for 2014 besides the frequent bandhs called by groups, the government cannot afford to lose precious working days.
While Lyngdoh suggested that the death anniversary of the first chief minister of the state could be observed by organising activities that would be meaningful and beneficial, Marak however refused to withdraw the motion. – By Our Reporter
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