Shillong, August 5: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Wednesday urged the opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP) to raise its 10 concerns in the Meghalaya Assembly, describing it as the appropriate democratic forum for discussing issues of public importance. His remarks came ahead of the VPP’s proposed peaceful march to the Secretariat on Thursday, August 6, over the state government’s alleged failure to act on 10 issues.
Speaking to reporters, Sangma maintained that the government had always remained open to talks and had never closed its doors to any political party or organisation. “We have always been open to discussion. We have always mentioned that if there are any issues, we are always ready to discuss any matter,” he said.
The Chief Minister pointed out that the Assembly session was approaching and said elected representatives should use the House to place their concerns before the government. “More importantly, the democratic process that is always followed is that discussions are held in the Assembly, and the session is coming up very soon,” Sangma said.
He added that the Assembly was the correct platform for the VPP to raise its demands, while reiterating that the government was also willing to engage in discussions outside the House. “If there are any concerns, that is the correct platform, the right platform to take it up. But apart from that, as a government, we have never closed our doors to anyone for discussion,” he said.
Sangma said the government remained prepared to discuss any matter affecting the public and asserted that dialogue continued to be its stated position.
