Open to independent probe, will resign if guilty, says MP Kharlukhi
Shillong, Sept 26: Meghalaya’s lone Rajya Sabha MP W R Kharlukhi on Thursday sought for an independent inquiry into allegations of irregularities in the Meghalaya Public Service Commission (MPSC) and said he is prepared to step down as an MP should his wife, who happens to be a member of the commission, is found guilty of any illegality.
The NPP leader who represents the state in the upper house of Parliament gave a letter to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, where he said that, “Of late, it has come in the news about irregularities in the Meghalaya Public Service Commission. Mrs Corina Lyngdoh, who is one of the members in the Commission, is my wife and I feel that this has tarnished the image of my family. To set the record straight, I would request the Government to go for an independent inquiry on this issue.”
He added that the probe ought to be completed within a month’s time.
Later, speaking to press persons, Kharlukhi said that he and his wife had been discussing the issue. “She said she is ready to go to jail if they find she did anything wrong. Also, if the independent inquiry finds that my wife is involved, I will resign as Member of Parliament the next day so that they will know what type of a man of substance I am.”
He clarified that his demand for inquiry is to ensure the case is based on facts, and not mere hearsay.
“There is a Supreme Court ruling that clearly mentions 87.5% is a written exam and 12.5% is the personal interview. Why did this ruling come? It came because there were irregularities in the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) and on being probed it was found to be true and, till date, the chairman of APSC is in jail,” Kharlukhi said recalling the recent prison conviction of the Assam chairman.
“So, no commission in entire India will dare to go against this decision of the Supreme Court,” he pointed out while urging the press fraternity to also do their investigation into reports instead of publishing news based on hearsay.
He lamented that people are making allegations of corruption and blaming the NPP. “But I find that this is actually only politics. If you have the guts (find out the truth),” he dared.
He also cited the recent case relating to the allegation made by Congress chief Vincent H Pala against deputy chief minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, who slapped him with a Rs 100 crore legal notice.
“Look at what Pala did. He talked about drugs and brought the name of the deputy chief minister. If he (Pala) is wrong, he will be poorer by 100 crore rupees, but if he is right, then a deputy chief minister will be in jail. It should be like this. Don’t generalise. You find out and pin point,” he stated.
