SHILLONG, MAR 16: Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma on Wednesday claimed that he is the only “homeless” chief minister in the country. “Of course I am the only homeless chief minister throughout the country,” Sangma told the Assembly.
The chief minister was replying to a call attention notice moved by Independent South Tura legislator John Leslee K Sangma, who accused the CM of allegedly sidelining the local public representatives in a meeting held last month in Tura.
The issue of beautification of Tura was discussed in the meeting held on February 9, convened by the chief minister with the representatives of village development committees, Tura Traders’ Union and other stakeholders.
“I was hurt and disturbed because I could have given suggestions since the meeting was for beautification of Tura town. But we were denied of that opportunity despite people giving us the mandate to speak for them,” Leslee said.
He said, “If he (Mukul) had call the meeting as a chief minister, then I protest for bypassing elected representatives of the area because it would create bad precedence.”
He also recalled that when the late Purno Agitok Sangma, Tura MP visited Tura, when he (John) was then an MDC, the first thing he did was he called the MLA and MDC.
“Despite being late by about 5-10 minutes, yet the meeting did not start. It was a beautiful meeting where Purno would pause and took our suggestions,” John added.
Claiming that it was “impromptu meeting”, Mukul said, “I can understand as to why the member from Tura South is perturbed but if I would have a pre-planned meeting, I would definitely inform the local elected representatives, as we do so.”
“But it is the prerogative of the chief minister. If I have little time to utilize and use it and if people want to meet me, I give them appointment which in course of such discussion good things do emerged,” he said.
Stating that Tura remain to be as a transit-point for the chief minister, Mukul said, “Though I haven’t completed my house as its still under construction, (I am the only homeless chief minister) but I have a transit camp in Tura and I happen to stay in Walbagre where people come to meet me (without prior appointment).”
“Anytime when I am in Tura, I have to apologize to the people and meet them outside the house because there is only one sitting room in that Walbagre house,” he said.
Urging the member to dispel such thinking (of being sidelined), Mukul said, “I had told him (John) that let us sit together but this instant case should not be seen as an attempt to avoid involvement of members of this august house.”
According to the chief minister, all have to share this agenda of development to see all good things happen when they are planned.- By Our Reporter
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