SHILLONG : Amid speculation that some MLAs from other political parties could join the BJP, NPP National Vice President and Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar on Friday asserted that the NPP would remain committed to the mandate given by voters.
Addressing a campaign meeting at Mawryngkneng, Dhar said elected representatives should not betray the people who voted for them.
“You elected us in this uniform, we will remain in this uniform. If we betray you, we betray Hynniewtrep, Hynniew Skum,” Dhar said.
Dhar said that while some leaders may now be looking to join the BJP, the NPP remains committed to its own principles.
Dhar explains NPP’s ties with BJP
Responding to Opposition criticism that the NPP is effectively the BJP, Dhar said the party’s cooperation with the BJP-led government at the Centre is driven by Meghalaya’s development needs rather than ideology.
“We work together with BJP means we work for development. We never speak ill of friends or insult people,” he said.
‘MDA 2.0 is not debt-ridden’
Dhar also rejected allegations that the MDA 2.0 government is burdened by excessive debt.
He said the government cannot borrow money arbitrarily and has to follow established financial rules and guidelines.
The Deputy Chief Minister also sought to project himself as a leader focused more on work than rhetoric.
“Some leaders have only words without work. I don’t talk much, I work. That is why my people have trusted me for 20 years,” he said.
Dhar says governance issues should be debated in Assembly
Dhar further said issues concerning governance should be raised and debated inside the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly rather than being taken to the streets.
“If rulers don’t listen to people, they are not fit to be rulers. Inside Assembly we don’t do politics, here in the field we do politics,” he added.