Staff Reporter
SHILLONG:
General secretary of All India Congress Committee (AICC) Mukul Wasnik on January 13 accused the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) of being the “biggest polluter” of Indian democracy, claiming that MLAs from other parties are either bought or threatened to defect to the BJP to ensure a majority.
The AICC leaders were in the state to discuss with the state Congress leaders and probable candidates on the poll preparations for the Meghalaya Assembly elections.
Addressing a press conference, he said, “Solely, I think BJP has polluted Indian democracy like anything which is a threat to our democracy.”
He criticized the BJP for the political dramas in Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
Referring to important Congress leaders who left the party in the recent past, he expressed confidence that the party will face the elections effectively on the basis of the Congress’ existing cadre.
“We as a political party are in full preparedness to face these elections. The PCC has been able to identify candidates for about 45 constituencies, for the remaining seats, the PCC will be finalizing their recommendations and soon we will be announcing the candidates,” Wasnik said.
With an aim to regain the confidence of the people, he informed that prominent leaders will join the Congress in the next few days and discussions are underway.
He maintained that the state party has a strong leadership and will reveal its plans at an appropriate time as far as the chief ministerial candidate is concerned.
When asked about new faces being fielded by Congress, the AICC leader said that they do get public support, “There is nothing negative about being a new fresh first time candidate.”
The AICC informed that it will put up candidates for all the 60 seats.
On the performance of the state government, he observed that there are many shortcomings in the state. Wasnik claimed that the Congress has fulfilled the commitments made to the people in the center or the state.
“I do not think that they have fulfilled their election promises. Whatever they promise now will not carry much weight before the electorate,” he said.
He added that the manifesto of the party will address issues of unemployment, youth, women empowerment, healthcare, education, etc.