CM downplays MPCC remarks against NCP's victory

Shillong, Dec 19: Meghalaya Chief Minister J D Rymbai has said that the government has down played the statement made by Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee chief Onward L Nongtdu, alleging the NCP of taking help of the outlawed Achik National Volunteers Council (ANVC) in the just concluded Rongjeng by-election.

Mr Rymbai added that "We cannot just take things for granted. We have to go into the ground reality to find out the truth." The MPCC chief Onward L Nongtdu has alleged the elected NCP MLA Desang M Sangma from Rongjeng assembly constituency had won the by-poll with the support of ''underground elements''.

The state NCP has termed Mr Nongtudu's remarks his "ignorance" and insensitivity by making such baseless and malicious allegations 'It is unfortunate that such a statement should come from the MPCC President who is expected to be a responsible individual.

Instead of accepting the democratic verdict, he is humiliating the people of Rongjeng by referring to ANVC's interference,'' NCP Working President Dr W R Kharlukhi said.

However, Dr Kharlukhi claimed the NCP's emphatic victory in Rongjeng was helped by the division in Congress.

UNI