SHILLONG, MAY 7: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Thursday expressed “disappointment” over the opposition Voice of the People Party’s decision to skip the all-party meeting called to deliberate on the expert committee’s report on the state reservation policy.“
Yesterday, I was quite disappointed,” Sangma said, noting that the meeting was convened following demands made by the opposition in the Assembly.
“As you are aware there was an expert committee that had come up with a report on the reservation issue and based on the demands given by the opposition on the floor of the House that an all party meeting should be called to further discuss the report and deliberate on further actions that should be taken, I have called a meeting yesterday of all political parties,” he said.
While all other parties attended, Sangma said the VPP stayed away. “But sadly while all the other political parties attended, one political party who in the beginning had raised this issue and tried to show to the region and the people that they are very concerned about this issue and that they will fight for this issue till the last breath… yesterday I received a letter from them saying that they have other pressing issues because of which they can’t come for this particular issue,” he said.
The Chief Minister said commitment must be backed by action. “Friends, we say in English we have to walk the talk and as I said in the beginning it is not just our words but it is our deeds that matter. If you love your people and if you love your land show it in action, show it democratically and show it constitutionally,” he said.
Highlighting his government’s track record, Sangma said, “Friends for the last 8 years, it has not been easy for us. There is no one single issue that was there for the last 50 years that previous governments could not with due respect were not able to touch or resolve, but it is this NPP-led government that took the decision, difficult decisions, took up the challenge, put the people in front… and that is why in the last 8 years where it is the boundary issue, or whether it is having the ST certificate in the GHADC… having our own state anthem, having our own state emblem whether it is issue of Khasi and Garo official languages – many such issues were taken up by this NPP-led government.”
Responding to questions on his “street politics” remark, Sangma said, “We are a parliamentary democracy and the legislature is the highest level of democracy and it is there that we take up issues that are important to the people and the state… Therefore, what is important is to live by the letter and spirit of the constitution and provisions of parliamentary democracy.”
He stressed the significance of the platform. “This meeting was very important because in a constitution, in a government, in a democratic parliamentary democracy, these are the platforms which you take up these issues and matters and it is not that we go to the streets for every single issue specially when opportunities are given in a democratic and constitutional manner to take up the matter,” he said.
“I had given a commitment and assurance to the House and I went ahead with my assurance and called all the parties but as I said certain political parties informed me that they are not able to come as they had other important issues that needed to be addressed,” Sangma said.
“It is sad that certain political parties though demanded it but ultimately did not come and attend it,” he added.
By Our Reporter
