Sangma can't behave like a rogue element: Meghalaya CM

In a scathing attack on Presidential candidate P A Sangma, Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on Monday questioned his claim of representing the tribals in the Presidential poll saying the former Lok Sabha speaker "can't behave like a rogue element".

Mukul, a fellow Garo tribal from the same Garo Hills district, said the President represents the whole country and not a particular state, community or religion.

"India stands as a viable country. Our country is not governed by individuals, community or religion. If the country is to be divided on the line of community and religion, there would be chaos everywhere", he said addressing the 'meet the press' programme of the Press Club of India in Shillong.

Questioning P A Sangma's claim that he was fighting the Presidential poll as a representative of the tribals, the chief minister said, Sangma could have done lots of things to make a difference to the lives of the tribals had he wished as he had occupied several key Constitutional posts in his long political career.

"Forget about the country or the state (Meghalaya). I welcome you all to visit his constituency (Tura) from where he got elected (to Lok Sabha) nine times, the kind of development he brought... forget about the constituency, visit his village and see how much development he has brought there. He can't behave like a rogue element," Mukul said.

The chief minister said P A Sangma is the most privileged politician of the Northeast but unfortunately he has the habit of leaving the party he belongs to very often.

"Is it safe for anyone to travel with someone who leaves his driving seat even when the car is still moving. Is he going to do justice to the country...I don't find any reason to rally behind him", he said.

When asked whether he was questioning the loyalty of P A Sangma, Mukul said, "every body can read between the lines".

The chief minister said every political party has its own agenda for every section of the people, every community, every region and the Congress party, which he belongs to, has its own agenda for the welfare of everyone.

"The Indian Constitution has provided enough provisions for the welfare of the weaker sections of society...", he said.

Mukul also favoured India's enhanced engagements with neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh, Myanmar saying such ties would open better economic activities between the Northeastern states and these nations.

The chief minister advocated an "appropriate law" for protection of the students of the North East region who allegedly face discrimination in other parts of the country very often.