Sangma: Reassuring

Shillong, July 15: The chances of the Congress hijacking the issue and impending protests by NGOs were the main reasons that prompted the Meghalaya Progressive Alliance (MPA) to recommend scrapping of the power deal with private companies.

The MPA sources said today if the deal was not scrapped, the Congress’ stand would be vindicated and there would be public criticism that the Congress and the MPA were moving in the same direction.

“At a time when the Opposition Congress with 25 members with the support of two Independents are trying all out to come back to power, the decision taken by the MPA to scrap the deal is a welcome step to prevent any gameplan of the Congress to topple the MPA government,” said a legislator supporting the MPA.

According to many MPA members, if the government does not scrap the power deal, agitations by the NGOs are bound to come which may destabilise the government.

The major issue on which the coalition partners fought the Assembly election against the Congress is on the “shady” power deal.

The coalition partners, during their election campaign had announced that once they are voted to power, the deal would be scrapped.

The NCP leader and chairman of state planning board, P.A. Sangma, today said the MPA was following the assurance made to the people during the elections.

Moreover, the MPA wanted to face the coming Lok Sabha and district council elections with a good image.

“We are more concerned about the district council elections scheduled for February next and on the power deal, we do not want the people to blame us,” Sangma said.

Insiders in the MPA said another reason for scrapping the deal was to ensure unity among coalition partners as a majority in the MPA would continue to criticise the government if the deal was not scrapped.

However, Meghalaya PCC president O.L. Nongtdu termed the move of MPA to scrap the power deal as “just a show of power”.