The sports department of Meghalaya denied permission to the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) to host an election rally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the PA Sangma Stadium at West Garo Hills district which is Chief Minister Conrad K Sangmas home constituency of South Tura, citing construction work at the venue. The PM was scheduled to campaign in Shillong and Tura for upcoming Meghalaya Assembly Elections on February 24.The BJP is now fuming over the development, alleging that the ruling National Peoples Party (NPP), along with the Trinamool Congress and other opposition parties, were trying to stall a “wave of the BJP” in the state.National secretary of BJP Rituraj Sinha on Sunday questioned the National Peoples Party for denying permission to hold the rally in the state. PM Modi was scheduled to visit Tura and Shillong, Meghalaya on February 24, ahead of assembly elections campaigning. The BJP, however said that the state government has denied the rally in the PA Sangma Stadium citing the reason that the stadium is still under construction.Sinha added that seeing the peoples response to Amit Shahs rally, the opposition parties have taken a back. He said that PM will hold the roadshow in Pynthorumkhrah in Shillong on February 24.The BJPs leader said the NPP, Trinamool Congress, and other parties have sensed the Modi wave in the state, and thats why they are preventing us from holding the rally. He also stated that the stadium was ready on December 16, so why is it under construction again in February Why is it not available for PMs rally The reason must be political. The people of Meghalaya want a government like the North-eastern states and NPP, Trinamool Congress and other parties do not want this to happen.The stadium was inaugurated by Chief Minister Conard Sangma on December 16 last year, which was built at the cost of Rs 127 crore, with 90 percent funds from the Centre, he added.He criticized the presence of corruption in Meghalaya and questioned the wealthy political figures in the state. Disclosing that UDP chief Metbah Lyngdohs asset is more than Rs 100 crore, James Sangmas asset is around Rs 50 crore, we wanted to know how these politicians have accumulated so much money when Meghalayas per capita income of Rs 58,000 was among the lowest in the country.When asked if the Center would order a CBI investigation into the states scams, Sinha responded that the Meghalaya government had withdrawn general approval. However, once the BJP takes power, the current and previous governments as well as everyone who has purchased expensive homes and vehicles will be held accountable.The single phase of voting in Meghalayas 60-seat assembly will take place on February 27, and the counting of the votes will be done on March 2.After March 2, TMC or any other parties will not be seen in Meghalaya, he concluded.Previous Assembly Elections in MeghalayaIn year 2018, Meghalaya saw a swing with Indian National Congress (INC) emerging as the largest party, winning 21 seats.However, the National Peoples Party (NPP) formed the government by allying with local parties along with the BJP in the state. The INC is hoping for a victory while the UDP (United Democratic Party) is planning to join the BJP in the state.Tripura Assembly Polls 2023:Tripura underwent the assembly elections on February 16. As per the election commission it turned out to be 81 percent of the total 28.14 lakh voters in Tripura who exercised their franchise. Women voters turnout was higher as compared to male voters. Female voters were 3.05 per cent higher in Tripura.
