Shillong, Mar 7: Majority of the ruling MLAs from Garo Hills on Thursday supported the idea of having a “winter capital” at Tura, but refused to support the resolution moved in the Assembly citing a “technical issue”.

The technical issue was because the resolution was moved by the leader of opposition Mukul Sangma, which chief minister Conrad K Sangma during the course of his reply mentioned that in 53 years of Meghalaya statehood, no resolution moved by the opposition has been passed in the state Assembly.

In his opening remarks, the chief minister said, “this is one of the most difficult replies. It is difficult to stand here at this moment as CM, as party leader, as an MLA, as citizen of Meghalaya and as a Garo individual.”

Deputy Speaker and a senior most leader from Garo Hills region Timothy D Shira said, “Yes, the idea is very good. I appreciate the idea but on political principle I cannot support this.”

He said that the idea of establishing a winter capital at Tura was not there as the original idea was to have a winter session at Tura.

“The word winter session at Tura comes from a Khasi leader. It was in the year 1973 because in the past there was summer, winter, autumn session, budget session. At the time of winter session and in a dinner at Capt Williamson Sangma’s residence while having casual talk and it was very cold, one Khasi leader said “here in Shillong it is quite difficult to have winter session as it is freezing but in Tura it is comfortable why not we have winter session there”. From there these ideas of winter capital develop,” he stated.

MLA from Kharkutta Rupert M Momin said, “Dr Mukul Sangma is one of the senior most leaders of this house and he has a wisdom and understanding and I appreciate very much and have nothing to question his wisdom but at this juncture he brought a resolution to have capital at Tura and as ruling member I cannot handhold with him.”

Mendipathar MLA Marthon Sangma said, “The construction of Governor House and mini secretariat in Tura by the government is in-line with this demand. I support the demand for winter capital in Tura, it is the need of the people of Garo Hills but today I express that I cannot technically support the resolution brought by the leader of opposition. I appreciate the resolution.”

Rongjeng MLA Jim M Sangma said, “I stand here not to support the resolution but I also like to speak and appreciate the idea of demand for a winter capital in Tura. While I acknowledge the intent behind the resolution and concern of the people of Garo Hills, I must respectfully express my inability to support this resolution but I strongly support the demand for winter capital not through resolution, today.”

Raksamgre MLA Limison D Sangma said, “I also rise to support the demand for creation of winter capital in Tura but oppose the resolution on the following ground… the government has already doing its job for creation of winter capital to bring administration closer to the people of Garo Hills and the state of Meghalaya in general, so there is no need to bring another resolution on the same issue.”

Read: Meghalaya Govt forms panel to review ST list amendment

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