Conrad denies role in refusal of permission to Modi campaign
Bernard says fear of losing prompted decision
Shillong, Feb 20: The National People’s Party (NPP) on Monday clarified that the football stadium, which is a part of the larger PA Sangma Stadium in Tura, was inaugurated last year.
The BJP on Sunday questioned Chief Minister and national president of NPP Conrad Sangma why he inaugurated the stadium when permission to hold a public meeting was denied to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the pretext that the stadium was incomplete.
“It was categorically stated that only the football ground was inaugurated while the rest of the Stadium is still under construction, and components like Indoor Stadiums with Gymnasium, Swimming Pool, Table Tennis Hall, Squash Hall and Badminton Hall among other State-of-the-art facilities would be ready for inauguration by December 2023,” Sangma said in a statement.
On the possible reasons for not getting the permission for the rally, Sangma vehemently denied BJP’s accusations of his influence in denial of permission to hold rally by Modi on February 24.
“All permissions come from the side of Election Commission of India and based on its direction, the district administration takes action. So there is no say from NPP or my side; dragging our (NPP and my) name into it is completely wrong. Even I haven’t gotten permissions for many of my rallies,” he said on Monday.
He further said such things happen during the elections but the BJP has made this into a big issue.
“It is a fact that when PM Modi holds a programme, the crowd will be huge. So, I feel, that the district administration may have felt that since it is a natural turf, and if many people come, it will damage the natural turf and also there is no parking there,” he added.
The football stadium is the country’s largest using pre-engineered construction technology and has a seating capacity of almost 10,000 people. It was inaugurated on December 16 last year.
However, BJP spokesperson and candidate from South Tura Bernard Marak said that director of Sports and Youth Affairs, under direct instructions from a very scared and insecure Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has denied permission.
“This is very sad that a Prime Minister is being prevented from meeting his own people. This acute fear of losing the elections that is haunting Conrad Sangma has driven him crazy. The people of Garo Hills will forever loathe the CM for this decision,” Marak added.
