Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma lashed out at Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma during the Tikrikilla rally on Saturday.
Speaking at the gathering, the finance minister of the BJP led Assam government hit out at Mukul Sangma calling him a contractor and not a leader.
Beginning his tirade in front of the over 20,000 crowds at the maiden rally of the BJP national president, Amit Shah, Sarma said, “Mukul has been at the helm for a long time however there are no roads in Tikrikilla. There are also no medical or engineering colleges though there were foundations stones. The only thing that has happened is the development of Mukul Sangma who has siphoned off all the money meant for the development of the state. Mukul Sangma is not a leader but a contractor.”
Sarma said that the BJP’s agenda for development was all encompassing though the same did not seem the case in Meghalaya.
“In the 19 states that the BJP government is ruling, employees are getting their salaries according to the 7th pay commission. In Meghalaya however, the teachers are being deprived of their rightful salaries. You can also see how much of corruption there has been in the government through the Education Scam,” he said.
According to him, the people it seemed were waiting for the Congress government to go so that the BJP can come in its place.
“I can promise you that if the BJP comes to power in the state, we will begin work on a new Medical college in the state. We will initiate road development at the earliest,” Sarma said.
Hitting out the dynasty politics within the state, Sarma said, “We will try and ensure that the people are able to identify themselves not through the likes of Mukul Sangma or a James Sangma but themselves. Meghalaya is no one’s father’s property. We will have to ensure that we give a new direction to the development of Meghalaya.”
Talking about the condition of infrastructure in the state Sarma said, “People are crying out due to the bad roads. If you call the 108 emergency services you are not sure when it will arrive. There is even a lack of medicines for patients. All this is due to Mukul Sangma doing contract work and taking half the amount to his own house,” he alleged.
Lambasting the CM, Sarma said, “Today Mukul Sangma is not known as the CM of Meghalaya but as a contractor. He has no other identity now.”
Sarma downplayed the accusations made by the Congress of the BJP being Hindu centric while also cautioning the people on the Congress projecting the BJP as communal.
“Tomorrow Mukul Sangma can come to you and say that if the BJP comes to power it will not allow people of a community to develop. Mukul Sangma is not the contractor for any religion. I can assure you that the entire country, whether it is Hindu, Christian or Muslim, will live together and develop together. You should not believe Mukul Sangma’s words,” he said.
“If he really believes religion why did he not develop the people of the state? Why did he not work for the church, mosque or temple,” Sarma said.