Shillong, Dec 16: The ruling National People’s Party (NPP) has hit back at the opposition Voice of the People’s Party (VPP), saying whether the latter, if voted to power, would bar artistes from performing in musical concerts in Shillong.
“In case if one day they (VPP) form the government, will they not allow artists like the Shillong Chamber Choir to perform in Shillong?” said cabinet minister and NPP leader Rakkam A Sangma on Monday.
He was reacting to allegation by VPP that musical concerts – a couple of major musical concerts were held in Meghalaya in the past few months under the aegis of the government – are like “painkillers” for people to forget about corruption and the problems faced by the state.
“I don’t know what they mean (by saying painkiller). Is it because they don’t like the music?” Sangma said adding, “…Their families and supporters might also have joined the audience on that day (at Bryan Adams’ concert).”
The minister said he wishes that many more shows, which are much greater than the Bryan Adams’ concert, should happen in Meghalaya.
“If Rakkam Sangma performs in Polo Ground, will people come to Shillong? …during Bryan Adams concert, we have seen every hotel is full, every shop is full, every vehicle is full… it is not about music only,” he asserted.
“Somebody in this generation not approving a world artiste from coming to Shillong is very unfortunate when every citizen of Shillong loves to listen to music, loves to sing,” he added.
