TURA:
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has dismissed as lies the allegations of a “Bengali” tag labelled on the Trinamool Congress that was pointed at him by TMC leader Mukul Sangma, terming it as nothing short of an attempt to score some brownie points in the heat of the electoral battle.
“There is a difference between a ‘Bengali’ and a ‘Bengal’ party. I never said Trinamool is Bengali. I said it is a Bengal-based party. That is the truth. Where is there a racial slur for me to apologize?,” questioned the chief minister while speaking to journalists outside the Tura DC office on Saturday where he had gone to file his nomination from the South Tura constituency.
This week, Mukul accused the NPP chief of using the “Bengali” word in his political attacks on the Mamata Banerjee-led party and demanded an apology.
“I have never racially discriminated against anyone. The only thing I said was that TMC is a party based out of West Bengal and that is a fact. There is nothing wrong with that. The only other thing I said was that it is an outsider party based on the analogy of Mamata Banerjee who in the last Bengal elections termed all national and other parties out of the state who entered the state for the elections as outsiders,” clarified Conrad.
The chief minister labelled the TMC as a party that is yet to form a base in the north east.
“Leaders from different parties are joining them, but their organizational structure is poor and it is a fact that I have stated,” added the chief minister.
With the opposition Trinamool Congress not averse to a possible post poll tie up with the regional UDP in the state, Conrad has dismissed it as mere presumptions pointing out that the NPP has also experienced a post poll experience with a success rate of five complete years.
“No one can predict the results of the elections ahead. Though we are confident of a full majority, yet, when it comes to coalitions, the NPP has proven it can form and run a successful coalition government in the state,” stated the NPP chief.
He reiterated that the political wave was clearly blowing in favour of the NPP heading for an absolute majority as the opposition camp continues to disintegrate with each passing day.
Tura voters to respond to Bernard and Leslee allegations
Conrad said that the number of allegations levelled by BJP candidate Bernard N Marak and UDP candidate John Leslee K Sangma claiming lack of development for Tura would get their reply from the voters when the votes are counted.
Both opposition candidates have been vocal in their attacks on the chief minister and allege Tura town has been under-developed.
“Tura citizens have been narrating the criticism and accusations thrown at me by my two opponents. In the last 5 years we have undertaken extensive developmental works, ranging from link roads into localities, water tanks and pipe connections with adequate drinking water into households that previously did not have the benefits, street lighting and beautification of Tura, among other things. I think the voters of Tura will give their response on February 27,” remarked Conrad.