The opposition All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) has called for an investigation into allegations made by the Congress that the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) in Meghalaya is using illegal funds to lure MLAs from other political parties.
Former Chief Minister and TMC leader Mukul Sangma expressed concern over the accusations, which suggest that the NPP is involved in illegal activities, including drug money, illegal mining, and manipulation of contract works. Sangma urged the government to address these serious allegations and emphasized the need for transparency.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, TMC leader and former Chief Minister Mukul Sangma emphasized the seriousness of these allegations. “The Congress president Vincent H Pala has been very blunt in saying that the party in the current ruling dispensation has engaged in poaching through inducement by using illegal money,” he said.
He added, “Therefore, as these allegations have come, the government and the leadership must come clean on this, and I urge an investigation on the matter.”
Sangma highlighted three specific allegations regarding the sources of the alleged illegal money: “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.”
When asked about TMC’s strategy to address these issues, the former Chief Minister indicated that the party would explore opportunities to raise the matter in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly. “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,” he stated.
Sangma expressed concern over the shrinking opposition numbers in the House, saying, “So in a way, the whole drama that unfolded in this recent development indirectly has a 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.”
Urging the public to demand clarity from the ruling party, Sangma said, “The people have to ask them, ‘Are you really engaging in these illegalities, something which is of very great concern for the state and the people?’ If there are reasons to believe that illegal money is being used, 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.”
Sangma also pointed out potential illegal activities in Shillong, suggesting that they may be occurring with some level of patronage. “I have reasons to believe based on whatever inputs I am getting. You go to Police Bazar 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 questioned.