BJP would have resolved mining issue in 2018: Shibun Lyngdoh

A CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG: The Meghalaya unit of the BJP has said that had the people of the State voted the saffron party to power the issue of coal mining in Meghalaya would have been different.

“This was a core issue for the BJP during the 2018 Assembly election in the State. It was also reflected in our manifesto. Had the people of the State given us the chance to form the government here, things would have been different,” president of the Meghalaya unit of the BJP, Shibun Lyngdoh, said.

Lyngdoh was responding to criticisms of sitting Shillong Member of Parliament (MP) and Congress candidate Vincent H Pala, who alleged that the BJP and its allies in Meghalaya have failed to resolve the issue related to the ban on coal mining by the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

The BJP leader also posed, “Unless we lead the government in the State how can we work towards lifting the ban imposed by the NGT?”

It may be mentioned that the BJP in its manifesto during the 2018 Assembly election had promised to lift the ban in six months if it comes to power in Meghalaya.

Last week, Pala had alleged that the file concerning the issue is lying with the coal ministry and the BJP minister in-charge of coal is not giving the nod to it.

According to him, the counsel for the Central government had informed the Supreme Court that the Union Home Minister has no objection but permission is yet to be obtained from the Coal ministry.

It may be pointed out that the BJP won only two seats – Sanbor Shullai from South Shillong and AL Hek from Pynthorumkhrah, during the 2018 Assembly elections and are part of the National People’s Party (NPP)-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance.

Also read: Meghalaya news