Cong dismisses threat from BJP in Meghalaya poll

The ruling Congress in Meghalaya today dismissed any threat from BJP in the upcoming assembly elections as it claimed there was no space for the saffron party ideology in the state.
The comment came from Congress General Secretary C P Joshi, who as in-charge of Meghalaya is here to finalise list of candidates for February 27 elections for 60 member assembly in the north-eastern state.
Poll results would be out on March 3 along with that of Tripura and Nagaland.
"The culture the way of life of Meghalaya people, ideologically speaking, there is no space for the BJP here. Because you know in parliamentary democracy, ideology is important. So I dont think there is space for BJP ideology in this state," Joshi told reporters.

"We dont consider BJP as a potential threat to us. The people of the state know how the National Peoples Party are hands in glove with the BJP. How the regional parties are members of BJPs North East Democratic Alliance and they are supporting the BJP directly or indirectly," Joshi said.
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, who accompanied Joshi at the Press conference, attacked BJP saying the party which is crusading against corruption, is corrupting the political system in the country.

"The usual trend we have seen all across the country in as far as the BJP is concerned, they have engaged in such a strategy which is corrupting the political system in the country," Mukul Sangma told reporters.

He pointed to government formation in Manipur after assembly elections last year in support.
"Do you think the MLAs shift their allegiance overnight just like that?" he asked.
The Chief Minister also hit at the Prime Minister for what he said was the latter attempting to dilute the federal structure of the country.
They (BJP-led NDA government) are going to destroy this nation and diluting the federal structure is one step for ultimate disastrous future of this nation," Sangma alleged.
He was reacting to the recent announcement of a Rs 70 crore scheme for development and repairing religious and spiritual circuits in the state made by the Union Tourism Minister KJ Aphons in a bid to woo voters ahead of the polls.

"Have they changed the guidelines in contravention with our federal structure?" he asked.
Recalling that Modi, when he was the chief minister of Gujarat used to talk about the attempt to dilute the federal structure of the nation, Sangma said, Today, this particular strategy of the BJP gives you a proof beyond reasonable doubt about their intention to dilute and weaken the federal structure of the nation.
Meanwhile, former assembly Speaker E D Marak has lodged a complaint with the district authorities in North Garo Hills alleging suspicious withdrawal of money from an SBI branch at Adogre in the district.

In a complaint lodged with the district Deputy Commissioner, Marak said at least 15 persons had withdrawn huge amount of money from the bank branch and allegedly distributed Rs 5,000 each to the voters so that they would vote for the candidate of a certain political party.
The withdrawal and distribution of money have taken place after the announcement of the Assembly polls. It has violated the model code of conduct, the former speaker and a leader of the National Peoples Party said.
He said he has personally taken up the matter with SBI Adokgre branch manager.
Deputy commissioner S B Sadhu told PTI, We will look into the complaint and strict actions will be taken against those involved in violating the the Model Code of Conduct.