United Democratic Party (UDP) general secretary Jemino Mawthoh, who wrote a letter to chief minister Conrad K Sangma seeking removal of James PK Sangma, seems to have gone alone without consulting the legislature party.
Education minister Lahkmen Rymbui, who is the UDP legislator from Amlarem constituency, told reporters on Tuesday that UDP legislators who are members of the parliamentary party (PP) have not been consulted on the issue related to power especially to ask the chief minister to remove James as power minister.
“We have not discussed this issue in our PP. It’s not a question of endorsing or not endorsing the opinion of Mawthoh. It is his opinion and nothing has come from the PP,” Rymbui said.
“I was in Shillong on Monday, and no one has come to consult with me on this issue. In a democracy, there is a process of discussion. In the MDA, there is a coordination committee which sits and thrashes out issues concerning the government by all coalition partners and not the UDP alone,” he added.
Rymbui said the issue related to power has been discussed in the government in the presence of ministers, and the chief minister along with the power minister has been taking steps and trying to address the problems being faced by the MeECL.
Admitting that interrupted power supply has affected normal life and students, he said the Power Minister has explained thoroughly in Assembly too regarding the difficulties that the MeECL has to face and the state government has been trying to find a solution.
“It is not easy to solve the issue instantly because it is not the problem that exists just today, it is a long-standing issue. I have full faith in the power minister and the government.
“If we have no intention to find ways and means to pay outstanding dues, why should Rs 1,345 crore loan be taken as offered by the Central government (under Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan),” Rymbui said, while throwing cold water to the demand of Mawthoh to remove James as power minister.
“We are moving in the right direction to solve the issue, but it is not easy to do it immediately,” he added.
Asked if the letter of Mawthoh has made the UDP a divided house, Rymbui said, “It’s not a divided house, and the issue has to be discussed in the forum of the MDA government.”
On Monday, Mawthoh shook the MDA government when he sent the letter as UDP general secretary to the chief minister, demanding that the power minister and CMD of MeECL be relieved from their positions in view of the ongoing power crisis.