Guwahati: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s request to hold an electoral rally in South Tura’s PA Sangma Stadium was denied by the Meghalayan government. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which claimed that nothing could stop the PM was upset by the decision.
PM Modi was slated to take part in political campaigns in Tura and Shillong on February 24. However, Meghalayan sports department refused to provide permission for his demonstration in Tura due to ongoing construction there.
According to the BJP, the state administration refused permission for the gathering to be held at Tura’s PA Sangma Stadium since it was still being built.
Party National Secretary Rituraj Sinha said, “We requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold a roadshow in Shillong and a public rally in Tura, Garo hills. We sought permission for PA Sangma stadium to organise a PM rally but we are surprised to know that the stadium is under construction and not ready. So they sent a letter that PM’s rally could not be held there. The entire country and the people of Meghalaya know that PA Sangma stadium was inaugurated by CM Conrad Sangma on December 16 itself in a grand manner.”
The BJP spokesman claimed that because the NPP and other parties perceived a “Modi wave in Meghalaya,” an intentional effort was made to thwart PM Modi’s rally in the state.
“The stadium which was ready on December 16, how come it is under construction again in February end? Why it is not available for the PM’s rally? The reason is political. It seems that opposition parties like NPP, TMC and Congress are scared of the Modi wave here. The people of Meghalaya want a BJP government like other northeastern states,” he added.
Notably, Tura which is a portion of the Garo Hills is regarded as Chief Minister Conrad Sangma’s stronghold with the majority of his MPs coming from this area.
A single phase of voting for the 60 seats in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly will take place on February 27. The counting of votes will be done on March 2.