BJP denied permission to hold PM’s rally at PA Sangma stadium, says opp trying to stall its wave in Meghalaya

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaFebruary 19, 2023

BJP national general secretary Rituraj Sinha on Sunday alleged that the National People’s Party (NPP), All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) and other opposition parties are trying to stall the BJP’s wave in Meghalaya.

He was questioning the decision to deny permission for holding the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally at the PA Sangma Stadium in Tura, West Garo Hills District. 

Sinha told reporters that the party has received a letter which stated that the “PM’s rally at PA Sangma Stadium cannot be allowed since the project is yet to be completed.”

“However, if the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma had inaugurated the PA Sangma Stadium on December 16, last year with full fanfare how can the stadium be declared incomplete and unavailable for use for PM’s rally two months later?” he asked. 

He however said that he has no specific information that indicated the involvement of the CM to deny the permission.

According to him, it is the sports ministry of the state which is stating that the facility at the PA Sangma stadium is not ready for the PM’s rally.

He said that the PA Sangma Stadium has been builit at a cost of Rs 127 crore out of which 90% has been given by the central government.

Stating that there is fear among the opposition parties, Sinha said, “Just because the people of Meghalaya have shown complete support for Prime Minister and BJP, are we going to stall the BJP’s campaign?”

“Is our opposition – Conrad Sangma and Mukul Sangma so scared of us. The opposition parties are there to stall the BJP’s wave in Meghalaya. You can and try stop PM’s rally but the people of the state has made up their mind (to support the BJP),” he said while asserting “Whether NPP, TMC and others they are scared of PM coming here and that the people of the state has decided to stop corruption.”

Sinha further claimed that the national and regional parties contesting the upcoming Assembly election are completely taken aback by the surge in sentiment for Prime Minister and the surge in sentiment to bring a BJP government in Meghalaya. 

“I am saying this today because in the last two days, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has been campaigning in the state, other star campaigners have been campaigning in the state and the overwhelming response and the large crowd that are turning out have taken people  by complete surprise,” he said.

Alleging that the chief minister and former chief minister were addressing rallies of only 1500-2000 people, he said that turnout in BJP rallies to listen to Amit Shah has been an excess of 10,000 -15000 people whether it is Rangsakona, North Tura and South Tura, which is the home turf of the CM, whether it is remote areas like Dalu and Baghmara, the response has completely taken them by surprise.

When asked, Sinha said, “Once PM has decided that he want to speak to the people of Meghalaya nothing can stop him.”

Further, the BJP national general secretary said that the people of Meghalaya will not waste their vote for the TMC, which is in on an ‘election tourism’ here. 

“They (TMC) have no scope here in Meghalaya and people know what TMC stands for. T is for Tolabazi, M for mass infiltration for vote bank politics and C for cut money for corruption and people will not allow this,” he added. 

Terming the allegations made by the  AITC national general secretary a ‘joke’, Sinha said that Abhishek Banerjee is known to be the leader of corruption in West Bengal. 

“Therefore, before he raises corruption issue here he should first look at himself,” he said. 

To another query, Sinha said that the state government of Meghalaya has withdrawn the general consent for CBI to conduct investigation in the state.

“But Amit Shah has promised that when BJP is voted to power we will create a special task force headed by a retired Supreme Court judge to investigate all corruption charges against the present and previous governments. Those who have looted the people of Meghalaya will all be brought to book,” he assured. 

On the BJP’s failure to pull out of MDA government despite allegations of corruption, the BJP leader said that the BJP has always tried to ensure that the central government and state governments of the NE states stays in alignment. 

“It is better for the welfare of the people of the NE states that the central and state government remain in an alignment.”

Reminding that the BJP has only two seats in the 60-member House, Sinha said, “In a democracy your voice or your influence is directly linked to the number of seats you have in the assembly. We have only two seats in the last assembly. We have limited say and control on the policy making, despite that BJP has repeatedly raise issues against corruption, even during it was in power because it was raising the voice of the people.”

He expressed confidence that this time  around the people of Meghalaya are going to bless BJP with a very strong number in Assembly and “we will ensure that corruption is check in the state”.