Sanbor refutes Ardent's claim

A CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG, August 10: The war of words between two legislators Sanbor Shullai of the NCP and Ardent Basaiawmoit of the HSPDP escalated today when Shullai termed Basaiawmoit’s statement as a “blatant lie”. Basaiawmoit had claimed that he was never against the extension of the MUDA building byelaws to the KHADC area.

Shullai quoted news reports that in a public rally on July 28, Basaiawmoit had threatened to storm the state secretariat if the Meghalaya Urban Development Authority (MUDA) fails to withdraw its notification to extend jurisdiction of the byelaws to the areas falling under the KHADC within a week’s time.

“After reading this news and the one appearing on August 7 where Mr. Basaiawmoit changed his stand on the demand for withdrawal of the MUDA building byelaws from the Scheduled areas after his meeting with the state ministers, it appears that he has changed his stand,” Shullai said.

Shullai also said that the HSPDP leader made false allegations against him by stating that he had his own interest in opposing the MUDA notification. Shullai termed these allegations as “baseless and unwarranted”.

The NCP legislator and MDC also refuted charges from Basaiawmoit that he owned a seven-storied building behind Sankardev College in the city.

“It is completely false. I don’t own any land behind Shankardev College. But it’s a fact that I own a plot of land in Lawsohtun Block – II,” he said.

Shullai said that being an MDC it is his right to take up matters pertaining to the Sixth Schedule areas since he was elected as an MDC to look after the welfare of the indigenous people.

“Helping the genuine non-tribal traders is not a crime and I am fighting for them as per law. This proves that I am not commul,” Shullai added.

Shullai also pointed out that few MLAs of Shillong have criticised the MUDA’s encroachments in Schedule areas but on the other hand in spite of Basaiawmoit being a MDC, he is going against the laws framed by the KHADC and he is supporting MUDA.