SHILLONG, FEB 14: Congress leader and MP from Assam Gaurav Gogoi today accused BJP for allegedly using the regional political parties including the National People’s Party (NPP), an NDA-ally, as its “Trojan horse” to enter into Meghalaya.
“It is quite unfortunate that the regional parties here are being a ‘backdoor’ for the BJP, Amit Shah and Yogi Adityanath to enter into Meghalaya. It is unfortunate a party like the NPP has become a Trojan horse for the BJP, RSS, Amit Shah and Yogi Adityanath,” Gogoi told journalists here on Wednesday.
He said that the people of Meghalaya have to realize that voting for a regional party whether it is the United Democratic Party (UDP) and National People’s Party is same as voting for the Bharatiya Janata Party.
“We have to realise that this election is about protecting the unique identity and culture and expression of faith of the people of Meghalaya because development is not going to happen under the BJP,” he added.
Gogoi said that he is quite happy to see the anxiety of the BJP because they keep coming (to Meghalaya) and make false statements about how the saffron party is secular and respect people of the different faith.
“But is that so? What happen in Madhya Pradesh when during Christmas a pastor was beaten up, what happen during Christmas when the first time in Rashtrapati Bhavan, we heard the Rashtrapati did not have Christmas carols is this how you are showing respect?” he asked.
He added, “You (BJP) are showing respect by renaming Christmas as good governance day and Good Friday as Digital India Day is this your way of showing respect and by denying visa you are showing respect?
Asserting that all of these issues are of sentimental value to the people of Meghalaya, he said “Besides development, the way we expressed our faith is very important to us and small, small things touches us and hurts us.”
Alleging that the entire culture of BJP is to impose on the freedom of the people across the country, Gogoi however said, “The regional parties are allowing these falsehood to come in through backdoor, they are being a Trojan horse.”
The Congress leader also charged the BJP of failing to respect the unique identity, faith and culture of the people of Meghalaya while referring to the recent incident of visa rejection to Reverend Paul Msiza to attend a religious function in the Garo Hills region.
Attacking the NPP equally on this, Gogoi, who also called the NPP national president Conrad Sangma as its CM’s candidate also questioned how is the party going to form the government when it could not get a simple visa for the president of the world Baptist alliance.
“You (Conrad) could not even secure a visa what highways will you build, what roads will you build, what jobs will you create. You could have done so much more, you are part of the government in Manipur but the BJP doesn’t even listen to you to give you a visa clearance, they will give you highways and institutes?” he said.
Further alleging that the RSS is being set up to oppose the different religion and Christianity being of them, Gogoi said, “Today this government in a democratic India needs to be of the people for the people and by the people but the government in Delhi is of the RSS for the RSS and by the RSS.”
Expressing confidence that the Congress will come back to power after the February 27 Assembly elections, the Assam MP said that this will happen despite the BJP trying to sent a lot of central ministers to come here.
“Their Tourism minister (KJ Alphons) is forgeting his tourism portfolio and is coming here while tourists all over India are getting attack, molested and harassed but BJP government cares more about election campaigns and less about governance,” he said.
“They are using the regional parties as their trojan horse but people of Meghalaya are wise, young people are smart and i am very confident that the coming elections Congress will form the government in Meghalaya again,” Gogoi added.
He further claimed that all of these senior ministers are coming with their helicopter’s visits only shows how anxious they are and how close Congress to winning in Meghalaya.
“Chief minister Mukul Sangma, former MPCC chief DD Lapang and MP Vincent Pala are so popular leaders and their connect with the people of the state is so strong that the BJP leaders have to come and use money power but their money cannot buy votes,” he said.
Asked whether the Congress will try and woo the regional parties, MPCC working president Vincent Pala however said that the Congress is contesting in all 60 seats alone and may not require aligning with the regional parties after the polls.
“Congress by history if we don’t come to power will work with like-minded people. So I think this time Congress alone will form the government and I don’t think as of now will require aligning with the regional parties,” Pala said.
The Shillong MP also alleged that BJP however is fighting with the regional parties but in some seats is adjusting with them.
“We in Congress we don’t adjust with any seats. We will fight alone and form the government,” he added.
By Our Reporter
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