CORRESPONDENT
SHILLONG: In a sharp critique of the Meghalaya government’s handling of proposed railway projects, Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma has accused the Conrad K. Sangma-led administration of bypassing democratic norms by forming a committee without first consulting political parties.
Speaking to the media, Dr Sangma asserted that before any discussions are held with stakeholders or civil society organizations, the government must call for an all-party meeting to deliberate on the implications of the railway project. He emphasized that long-standing concerns about influx and local apprehensions must be addressed through political consensus.
“Forming a committee and calling us to discuss are two different things,” said Dr Sangma. “The political parties had given suggestions during the last session. Has the government called us? No. Instead, they’ve formed a committee. I have asked them to call us so we can collectively find a solution.”
He warned that skipping this essential step of political consultation could derail efforts to reach sustainable resolutions. “Committee-level discussions cannot replace the necessary groundwork of political dialogue. That’s the backbone of democratic decision-making,” he stated.
Dr Sangma also criticized the lack of transparency in nominating committee members, questioning the government’s clarity on the issue. “We don’t even know the actual stand of the government. What is the way forward? What is the committee about? First, call us — the political leaders — and let’s put our heads together.”
He further urged the government to conduct internal discussions among political representatives before involving other stakeholders. “Only then can we identify the concerns and address the riders raised by civil society groups. We are already aware of these issues — they’ve been raised for a long time.”
In response, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma defended the government’s approach, saying that it is open to flexible discussions and committed to addressing concerns related to the railway project. “It is unfortunate that some political parties do not want to participate in the committee and contribute their views,” he said. “If you don’t give your opinion, where is the democratic process?”
The Chief Minister insisted that the government will not move ahead with the project without engaging all stakeholders. He called for a balanced solution that considers public concerns without hampering economic development.
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