BJP says Meghalaya CM on weak ground, lacks confidence of MLAs

BJP today came down heavily on Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma claiming the ruling party did not enjoy the confidence of its own MLAs and appointed aggrieved MLAs as parliamentary secretaries, to accord them rank, status and perks of a cabinet minister apart from the 12 others in the cabinet.
The Congress-led coalition here would collapse under its own 'contradictions' and 'internal conflicts', BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli said and predicted there will be no return of the Congress in 2018 due to its 'non-performance and lack of development'.
"The very fact that the government has to appoint 18 parliamentary secretaries in addition to the 12 ministers shows that out of 30, how much confidence they (Congress) have in their own MLAs...," Kohli told reporters here.

The chief minister 'revealed how weak' his political position is by 'discovering the need' to appoint 18 parliamentary secretaries (one having resigned recently) and proved things were not in 'good condition' within his party, Kohli said.
The BJP spokesperson further referred to the legal aspect in the appointment case and how it was done.
Political analysts said the ruling Congress had been appointing "disgruntled" MLAs as parliamentary secretaries and given them the rank, status and perks as that of a cabinet minister following the Constitution (91st Amendment) Act 2003 which directs that the total number of ministers in a state shall not exceed 15 per cent of the total number of MLAs or not less than 12.

On Mukul's petition to the President on the political

situation in Arunachal Pradesh, Kohli further stated, "Sangma instead of worrying on Arunachal Pradesh would do well to worry about the condition of the Congress party and what people of Meghalaya think about his government in the state."
Indicating that there was a strong anti-incumbency voice in Meghalaya, Kohli said, "In 2018, there will not be a return of the Mukul Sangma government if the mood of the people today is an indicator."
Boosting that the BJP was able to open its account in the autonomous councils' elections in the Garo Hills, he said, "We are going to work with this message of development and 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas' of the Prime Minister and implement it in every state that we work."

Kohli also presided over the first executive meeting of the party in Meghalaya which was attended by the state executive members and other leaders.