By IANS,
Shillong : In Meghalaya, that has seen four chief ministers in the last three years, incumbent Mukul Sangma Wednesday completed one-year in office even as rebel Congress legislators are New Delhi asking the central leadership to remove him.
At least outwardly, the political rumblings do not seem to have unnerved the seemingly ebullient Sangma.
“By being thick skinned. Thick skinned of such thing and you have to understand that. If I have to respond to all kinds of disgruntlement and all, then where is the time for the government to actually deliver,” Sangma asked while speaking to told IANS.
At least 18 of the 28 Congress legislators in the 60-member assembly are believed to have projected D.D. Lapang as a successor to Sangma.
But Sangma is using the “development card”, not only to impress the Congress leaders, but to also blunt the assault by his detractors in the Congress Legislature Party.
“We are here to serve the people and to ensure that the growth chart of the state is not dislocated. In fact numerous projects have been sanctioned, which will help the state progress in right direction,” Sangma said.
A year ago, Sangma became the chief minister following a “palace coup” by disgruntled Congress legislators against D.D. Lapang, who was then the chief minister.
When asked how he would celebrate his one year in office when his party’s legislators and ministers were camping in Delhi seeking his “ouster”, Sangma instead turned the tables on the media.
“The problem is with you guys,” he said.
Refusing to comment on the issue, which he maintains was raked up by the media, he said for an answer, the media should “ask the AICC (All India Congress Committee)” instead.
While grudgingly admitting “disgruntlement” in Congress ranks, Sangma said it did not bother him and it is the “commitment given to the people” that is upper most on his mind.
“We have promised the people certain things for the rapid economic growth of Meghalaya so that we too will derive benefit from the economic growth taking place in the country,” he said.