Shillong, Mar 12: Cabinet minister and NPP leader Rakkam A Sangma on Monday alleged the opposition political parties of “losing interest” in taking up issues concerning the people by staging a walkout in the recently concluded Assembly’s budget session.

He was reacting to the opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP)’s allegations that the NPP-led MDA government has failed on all fronts.

“If there is any problem or any issue, they (VPP) should have taken up the matter (in the Assembly). But they walked out during the Assembly, just when the CM was about to reply on the budget general discussion. They (members of opposition parties) did not come back (which) means they lost interest and that they don’t have any issue to bring up in the floor of the House,” Sangma told reporters.

He also referred to an issue raised by one of the VPP members and said, “He was raising the issue alone as there is nobody from his own party, who wanted to participate (or support him). I don’t know why they lost interest. They should have taken up the matter for public interest if there is any. That means in politics, this is a testimony.”

“So this is a testimony that there is a minimum issue (against) the state government,” he added.

Stating that the Assembly is the right forum for the MLAs to discuss issues of the state and not the streets, Sangma, who is also education minister, said, “Whatever the voice shouting in the streets will not become the laws and the rules. The rules, laws and policies are made in the floor of the House not the streets. I think every legislator should know that the policies and decisions in a democratic country like India must be debated, discussed and decided on the floor of the House and not in the streets.”

“I was expecting the members of the opposition to raise many issues but I don’t know what will happen this time. Many of the members are not interested in participating in the debates, discussions and resolutions, I see less number of opposition members and they don’t attend also, their seats are empty,” he observed.

Urging all concerns to check facts and figures, the cabinet minister said, “For example, earlier there was shouting in the streets, there was demand from members of opposition about the CUET centres whereas from the government side we know that CUET centres have already approved for the Shillong and Tura. Second thing was about the scholarship. When they shouted in the streets, the scholarship was in the process of disbursing into the accounts of the students. I think we should first check the facts and figure, what is happening.”

He further claimed that the MDA government has fulfilled its promises made in terms of all round development of the state.

“The MDA-1 government has done maximum in the past five years. We have delivered what we promise,” he said while adding “In my constituency, earlier in 2018, there are 50 plus polling stations out of which 25-26 is motorable. But during the 2023 general election, only two polling stations are not motorable. Transformation happened. Of course, the work is in progress but the government has done lots in all respects.” 

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