Shillong, Jan 28: Following the demand for his resignation by BJP, Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui said that no “Tom Dick and Harry” can ask him to resign; it is only the prerogative of the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and the leadership of the United Democratic Party (UDP) to decide on whether to remove him from the post.
Speaking to media, the Home Minister said, “I am here as a minister sponsored by the UDP not by anybody and I am holding the portfolio because of our chief minister… so these two will take a decision not any Tom Dick or Harry.”
Rymbui added, “I think the BJP should introspect being a national party, it should not only look at Meghalaya they should look nationally as a very big party. Instead of pointing fingers (at others), they should also see what is happening in their own party.”
He also said BJP being a National party should have National perspective and should introspect. Citing an example of BS Yedurappa the Chief Minister of Karnataka has asked the BJP to first seek the resignation of its Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa before pointing fingers at others.
“If they need to ask for my resignation, the BSF should first ask the resignation of BS Yediyurappa. 6 people have died on January 21 in Shimoga, the home district of the Karnataka chief minister due to blasting of some illegal transport of some gelatin sticks,” Rymbui told reporters on Wednesday.
The Home Minister was reacting to the recent demand by the BJP state president Ernest Mawrie for his immediate resignation as home minister over the issue of illegal coal mining which also led to the January 22 mining-accident that killed six labourers in East Jaintia Hills.
Further, he said he is not a coward but is a war and war people never shy away from responsibilities.
The home minister said, “I am not a coward, I am a War and War people they never shy away from challenges or responsibilities…it is our duty to see how to overcome all the challenges.”
He however said that he is taking the criticism against him in a positive manner as it is his duty to see that action according to law is taken against illegal activities.
