SHILLONG, AUG 24: Opposition All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) has sought an investigation into Congress’ allegation that the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) orchestrated the defection of MLAs from other parties through inducements that involved the alleged use of “illegal” money.
Addressing media persons in Shillong, on Friday, TMC leader and former chief minister Mukul Sangma said Congress president Vincent H Pala was very blunt in his recent statement when he accused the ruling dispensation of engaging in poaching through inducement by using “illegal” money.
“Therefore, as these allegations have come, the government and the leadership must come clean on this and I urge an investigation on the matter,” he said.
The former chief minister claimed three crucial points were used for the defection operation by the ruling party.
“There are three allegations. One is on illegal money allegedly coming from drugs, another one is alleged money coming from illegal mining and another one manipulation of contract works. So if these three allegations have come there is a need for the house to discuss it,” Mukul added.
Asked, the former chief minister said that the party would be looking at the available space to raise the particular issue in the floor of the House.
“The only chance is through an adjournment motion and under the no confidence motion against the government. So we will have to examine all these available spaces but given the kind of situation in the august house we will have to know how to deal with the situation. So in a way the whole drama that unfolded into this recent development indirectly has resultant impact on the balance of the whole ecosystem in a healthy democratic practice. So your opposition numbers have shrunken and that is not a good indication for the vibrancy and sustainability of democracy,” he stated.
Urging the people to demand the ruling party to come clean on the allegation, Mukul said, “Therefore, the people have to ask them are you really engaging in these illegalities, something which is of a very great concern for the state and the people. If there are reasons to believe that illegal money is being used and where is this illegal money coming from and the illegal money from what? So that means the people have to ask questions and the government has to come clean on this, they cannot just keep quiet, they cannot just shy away. It is a very serious allegation because if the allegations are true then you can understand what kind of future we are going to see and unfold in the coming years.”
“And I also have reasons to believe based on whatever inputs I am getting. You go to the police bazaar in the evening, I am told I am asked to go and see. Go anywhere in different parts of Shillong, you will see what kind of illegalities are happening and it is happening right in this capital city. Is it something which can happen with such impunity unless there is some patronage,” he added further.
