SHILLONG, DEC 28: Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong has said that the strength of the National People’s Party (NPP)-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government is enough to take forward the issues concerning the state even without the support of other political parties.
Tynsong informed the NPP welcomed the decision of the Congress to extend outside support the state government based on issues.
“Yes, we received a letter signed by few MLAs (of the Congress) but from our side we don’t say anything since they have willingly come and give outside support on particular issues and that we welcome,” he said.
“But of course even if they (Congress) oppose, we have to go ahead (with the issues) – that is the principle of the MDA government. Whether you support or don’t support (it does not matter) as we are here to serve the people of the state,” Tynsong added.
His statement came after the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) had recently decded to extend issue-based support to the MDA government. The issues include long pending demand for Inner Line Permit (ILP), inclusion of Khasi and Garo langauges in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India and others.
When asked, Tynsong said it is better to ask the Congress what made them to extend this outside support to the government because there has been no discussion on this regard.
“Please ask from them (Congress MLAs) not from us because you see our strength is enough…we are already 41. Anybody who is giving outside or inside support, we do welcome but if you ask if something is wrong with the Congress that you have to ask them as they are the best people to tell us,” he added.
Earlier, Congress working president PN Syiem had maintained that the party will never
support the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government so long as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is part of the coalition.
Syiem said that the recent statement made by the five MLAs has been taken out of context.
He clarified that the CLP is only supporting the issues taken up in the floor of the House which include resolutions to urge the Centre for implementation of the ILP and the inclusion of the Khasi and Garo languages in the Eighth Schedule.
“We stand together on these issues (on the floor of the House) but we will never give support to the MDA government. As long as the BJP is very much part of the MDA, it is not appropriate for us to give support to the MDA government,” Syiem had stated.
By Our Reporter
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