Shillong, Dec. 19: The four-member Meghalaya Opposition today put chief minister F.A. Khonglam on the mat over the allegations of the nexus between politicians and rebels.
Leader of the Opposition T.H. Rangad of the BJP, in a query during Question Hour, wanted to know the names of the four MLAs who have links with militant groups. Khonglam replied that ?the names have not been confirmed?.
The chief minister, who had boldly announced a couple of months ago that the Centre was aware of the nexus and the case was being investigated by the special branch, today surprised everyone when he said that newspaper reports ?should not be taken seriously?. Khonglam was of the opinion that what was being ?said in the streets? based on newspaper reports could not be debated in the House.
However, the chief minister?s replies prompted the Opposition to question his earlier statements made to the Press on the alleged nexus of four MLAs from the Garo Hills with militant outfits. Rangad was critical of the fact that Khonglam had come out with such statements without confirming them.
?Does it mean that we should not take statements of the chief minister seriously?? Rangad wondered. BJP president W. Kharshiing told mediapersons that he has communicated the seriousness of the issue to Union home minister L.K. Advani. ?We will wait for the Centre?s response,? he said.
Earlier in the day in the Assembly, the controversy over the Meghalaya House in Calcutta gave rise to a heated exchange. Khonglam had to admit that there is a dispute over the plot of land and the matter would have to be resolved legally. He also said the government was processing the papers for handing over the case to the CBI.
But deputy chief minister D.D. Lapang, in his reply, said the land still belonged to the state and has not been sold off.