Congress boycotts Governor Tathagata Roy’s speech

A Correspondent

SHILLONG: The Opposition Congress in Meghalaya boycotted Governor Tathagata Roy’s speech during the first day of the Budget session, in protest against his remarks after the Pulwama terror attack on February 14, where 40 para-military personnel were killed. The Opposition Congress also avoided the customary photo-op and tea with the Governor.

On February 19, Governor Roy had tweeted: “Don’t visit Kashmir, don’t go to Amarnath for the next 2 years. Don’t buy articles from the Kashmir emporia or Kashmiri tradesman who come every winter. Boycott everything Kashmiri. I am inclined to agree.”

When asked by journalists on the Opposition members boycotting him, the Meghalaya Governor said, “So I see that they have done so, what can I do about it?”

He also said that he had nothing to say beyond what he had already said in his tweets.

When asked if he regretted tweeting those remarks, Roy said, “I have already said that there is nothing further to be said beyond what I have said in my tweets.”

Roy later tweeted, “International Women’s Day greetings to all the lady legislators of Meghalaya whom I did not meet this morning. Disappointed at missing the male legislators too! Que sera sera!”

Earlier, in the morning, leader of Opposition, Dr Mukul Sangma while speaking to journalists said it does not augur well for the nation when a person who is holding a Constitutional post not less than that of a Governor engages in such kind of message which is capable of creating a rift amongst the citizens of the nation.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma said it was inappropriate on the part of the Opposition Congress to boycott the Governor’s speech.

Conrad said one might have differences of opinion with a certain individual on his individual comments but here it was not about Tathagata Roy but it is about the Governor of Meghalaya.

“But I think this is about the chair and you know this is about the ceremonial process that takes place every year and this literally is an insult to the chair of the Governor and I think it is not appropriate and not good and it should not have been done and it is very unfortunate that the Opposition has acted in this way,” the Chief Minister said. He also said the tweet was from Tathagata Roy’s twitter account and not from the Governor’s official handle.

Also read: Meghalaya news