Row over PA Sangma stadium: Meghalaya CM hits back at Union Minister John Barla

The Union minister had visited the stadium yesterday (January 6) and criticised the Conrad government for inaugurating a half finished stadium.

A mega sports infrastructure project of Meghalaya that too in the name of the state’s political stalwart Late PA Sangma has become the centre of a war of words between Meghalaya Chief Minister and PA Sangma’s son Conrad Sangma and Union Minister of State (MoS) for minority affairs John Barla.

The Union minister had visited the stadium yesterday (January 6) and criticised the Conrad government for inaugurating a half finished stadium. He also said that despite the fact that the stadium is being built with funds from the centre, no such mention has been made anywhere in the stadium or during the inauguration. Barla termed the inauguration of the stadium a political gimmick.

The stadium is built at an estimated cost of Rs 127 crores and 90% of the funds is from the centre.

Hitting back at Barla, CM Sangma said that CMs and other state ministers inaugurating projects and schemes be it PMGSY, JJM, MGNREGS is a common thing.

“We are in a federal structure where the state and the central governments work together for the benefit of the people. It is very sad and unfortunate that people, I do not know why, it could be for elections or whatever other reasons may be, are raising questions for development work which is being done for the betterment of the people. It is very sad and unfortunate.”

The Meghalaya Chief Minister also slammed the state BJP leadership.

Conrad Sangma said, “I think the local leaders who have made this statement and instigated the Union minister to say such wrong statements is unfortunate and looks like those local leaders are not interested in bringing development for the people of our state. The local leadership which has pushed this kind of a message to the Union minister is also something which is very unfortunate.”

Regarding the inauguration of the stadium, Sangma said, “Since the football stadium was already open if it is not inaugurated and not used, its going to get spoilt. And hence we have to start it and inaugurate it.”

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