Shillong ( Meghalaya) , Jan 23: Calling every statement of Rahul Gandhi a bundle of falsehoods and figments of imagination, Meghalaya state BJP in a statement has challenged the Congress leader to substantiate even half a word that he uttered at the public meeting in Nongpoh.
In a press statement BJP spokesperson M Kharkrang , questioned Rahul Gandhi to explain how the tradition, history and way of life of the people of Meghalaya were being attacked,
The state BJP listed out the various activities carried out by the party morchas at the grass root levels to improve people’s lives. Not something that could be said about the Congress, a party that ruled Meghalaya for approximately four decades unhampered. State BJP also pointed to the fact that the party has a substantial member base amongst the local population, across districts, and the number is growing every day.
‘Would people from the towns and villages of Meghalaya be joining us if we attacked their traditional way of life?’, BJP leaders asked. ‘If we did, our numbers would be dwindling like that of the Congress’.
BJP also reminded Rahul Gandhi that the party ensures every hero of Meghalaya is honoured and remembered by the people. Don’t recollect Congress ever making an effort in this direction.
The statement added that Rahul Gandhi mentioned that Khasis and Garos are not included in the eighth schedule and BJP would like to know, what exactly the Congress party was doing for over sixty years, when they were in power, in the Centre and the state.
Why could this issue not be raised by Rahul Gandhi himself while his party was in power? Yet, Rahul Gandhi has the courage to bring up this topic, which is mindboggling!
While talking about Manipur, Rahul Gandhi made it seem like the problem surfaced only after the BJP came to power in the state. Mr. Gandhi’s lack of knowledge is understandable, he and his ancestors hardly made a stop in the North East. We, who are from this region, know that this is a conflict that goes back centuries and the Congress did precious little to resolve the issues. Congress was also in power at both the Centre and state of Manipur for approximately fifty years, remember Mr. Gandhi? Today, when BJP is trying to bring an amicable solution to a festering issue, Rahul Gandhi comes along and tries to make matters worse with irresponsible statements. But then, that has always been the Congress style of functioning.
On the question of Meghalaya being ruled from Meghalaya, BJP reminded Rahul Gandhi that dictatorship is a Congress legacy as exemplified by Indira Gandhi’s Emergency. BJP believes in Central State co-operation and this model has worked wonders in state after state in the North East.