SHILLONG, Aug 31 - With the BJP managing to make its presence felt in the Meghalaya politics even without winning a single seat, the Congress today reacted and said the BJP is moving ahead with an intention to fool the people with false hopes.
The BJP has been able to persuade two independent Legislators from Jaintia Hills to join the party, although some reports say that the Legislators have joined the party with riders � the condition being lifting of coal mining ban in the region.
The BJP has been giving tacit assurance to the people that if voted to power it would lift the coal mining ban. Nalin Kohli BJP�s in-charge for Meghalaya recently said, the party would pursue with the Centre to lift the coal mining ban and would not take as much time as the Congress party.
He, however, refused to give a timeline to lift the mining ban. Coal mining has been banned by the National Green Tribunal for the past several years until the time the State Government frames rules that such mining doesn�t harm the environment.
Under the present political scenario, Union Railways Minister (State) Rajen Gohain went to Jaintia Hills�on Tuesday. �It was a political visit. I went to Jaintia Hills as the party members have invited me,� Gohain said here yesterday.
A Union Minister�s visit to Jaintia Hills is a rare moment. Most of the Ministers visit the State capital or at best West Garo Hills� headquarters Tura, places like Jaintia Hills has been off the political radar for National political parties.
�The BJP is trying to fool the people by saying that it would lift the coal mining ban if voted to power,� Urban Affairs Minister and senior Congress leader, Ronnie V Lyngdoh said today.
He said the party was making the false assurances for electoral benefits, adding, the people are smart enough to understand.
However, there is a strong coal miners� lobby that has been putting pressure on the Congress-led Government to get the ban lifted. This lobby�s patience seems to be running out and is willing to shift allegiance.�
The Government brought a resolution urging the President to intervene and facilitate lifting of the ban through his discretionary powers under the Constitution.
