KOLKATA, Jan 19: Former Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Gegong Apang, who recently quit the BJP, on Saturday raised the issue of suicide by Kalikho Pul, a former CM in the Northeastern state, and alleged that such episodes only prove that “some forces want power by hook or crook”.
Speaking at the rally organised by Trinamool Congress chief and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee here, Apang pointed out that even an adverse Supreme Court judgement could not prevent those who want power “by hook or by crook”.
His comments were in reference to Congress MLAs en masse joining the Saffron party in Arunachal Pradesh and thus taking over the power in the Northeastern state.
“Last four years have been a testing time for democracy in the country,” said Apang, who holds the record of being the state CM for 23 years – first from January 18, 1980 to January 19, 1999 and then from August 2003 to April 2007.
“People in Delhi are dividing the country especially the North East,” he alleged.
Apang maintained that he has come to Kolkata to strengthen the hands of Mamata Banerjee and other leaders in the fight against the Modi government.
Speaking at the rally, Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) leader Lalduhoma said the Northeastern leaders are attending the rally in Kolkata "with a purpose". "We come here with a purpose.....," said Lalduhoma, who emerged a giant killer in recent polls in Mizoram by defeating the former Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla in Serchipp constituency.
He said the Citizenship Amendment Bill - now pending in the Rajya Sabha - was not acceptable to the people of the North East.
"The Citizenship Amendment Bill is either withdrawn or North East should be exempted from it," he said.
He said the religious minorities are "not safe" in the hands of RSS, BJP and Bajrang Dal and took strong exceptions the manner, diktats are passed on what people should eat or not.
He urged other regional parties in the north east to 'dissociate' from the BJP at the earliest.
Responding to him, West Bengal Chief Minister Banerjee said her party is also opposed to the Citizenship Amendment Bill. (UNI)