SHILLONG, MAY 10: Putting all speculations to rest, opposition AITC leader and former chief minister Mukul Sangma on Wednesday categorically denied having any discussion with BJP leader and cabinet minister AL Hek about a possible merger with the saffron party.
He also revealed that Hek had in fact requested the AITC leaders to ensure that the NPP-led MDA government does not come back to power in the state.
This came after Hek had claimed that he had over a ‘cup of tea’ discussed with the AITC leaders about them merging with the BJP.
Speaking to reporters, Sangma said that he had tea with Hek on March 3, a day after the 2023 election results were declared.
“AL Hek is a very good friend of mine. We have worked together for a very long time. He was in Congress while we were in Congress. He was in the council of ministers when I was the CM. So you have seen this long association and the good thing is that he wanted to meet me on March 3 morning, so we had tea and we congratulated each other but he was in a hurry to go to his meeting but he told me one thing he said that he was not happy with the outcome of the whole election results obviously because BJP also went hammer and tongs to see that they win as many seats as available,” he disclosed.
“That’s the time when I met him (Hek) but he didn’t say that I should join BJP or anything. He only said that please do something to see that this government doesn’t come back,” Sangma said while adding “And I said we are doing it precisely and then you saw on March 3 we tried to come together, it is a different thing we could not give fruition to our whole collective effort because I have said the overall development that you saw after all these members of these different political parties converged in one particular place, a meeting to that agenda giving an alternative, viable, pro people and the most wanted alternative government to the people.”
On the other hand, the former chief minister said that he has reasons to believe that this story about him and his party merging with the BJP is also connected with the ongoing election in Sohiong constituency.
“Is it an attempt to actually divert the narrative, the narrative which should be focused on very serious and important issues confronting the people and the state? Has somebody attempted and successfully utilized some friends from the media? You have to be more analytical. That is why I say that the moment you have these stories coming as a part of somebody’s speculation, we are always available. Please get connected and get from the horse’s mouth,” he asserted.
Stating that it is natural for every political party to strategize for themselves, the former leader of opposition said, “We are doing the same. We would also like other MLAs to join us and merge with our party. We welcome our friends who would decide by joining with TMC, we can aggregate our strength together and work together. I think the state today needs unification and the coming together of all political parties. I have tried this along with my colleagues, along with my party functionaries including some of the leaders of some political parties even after the election results were declared.”
He also again referred to the attempt made to form an alternative government to replace the MDA government and said, “What has happened on March 3 and afterwards is there for everyone to see. But we tried to engage with all our colleagues from different political parties, the leadership of different political parties and do justice to the overall call of duty in sync with the aspiration and mandate of the people. What has unfolded subsequently is a different thing. You have seen members of certain political parties were party in the discussion suddenly disappear, then another one disappears so what is this indicative of that means unhealthy, unscrupulous, horse trading must have followed with the fallout that you see and reinstallation of the same regime.”
Meanwhile, Sangma said that the AITC legislators are committed to protect the interest of the people and the state.
“We have taken resolve with utmost sense of sincerity that under any circumstances we will not allow anybody to take the interest of the people and the state for granted,” he said while adding that many things will be unfolding in the coming days and that the AITC will take the government head on.
By Our Reporter
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