Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Urban Affairs, Sniawbhalang Dhar, on Sunday rubbished the allegations linking him to the proscribed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC), terming them “false, baseless, and politically motivated.”
“Unfortunately, I was not in station for last few weeks. The allegations made by the HNLC is totally false and baseless. From the statement of other political leaders, it seems this is politically motivated just to malign my image,” Dhar told reporters.
Refusing to bow to demands from the opposition for his resignation, Dhar maintained that the allegations is unfounded.
“This is a demand from the opposition party. It is their duty but demanding resignation and dropping this and that everything you do you need to have full proof. Suppose if I resign that means I accept the allegation, which I am not going to do and I won’t bother at all because I am here to serve my people not to serve terrorists, please remember. That is my commitment. 17 years as MLA in my own state. I love my own people. I will work harder and harder for the people of the state. The allegation is totally baseless. Please remember, the more they want to spread negativity against me, God will bless me, my party and the government because I am here to serve my people sincerely. We are here to protect the people, the state and the country as a whole. We are your leaders, please trust us because all these are baseless allegations,” Dhar said.
On the possibility of pursuing legal recourse, Dhar said he was weighing his options and might consider filing an FIR.
“Let me see because just thinking I don’t know who is behind but may be if I find who is behind I may have to do so. We will see what action to take. You know it is a banned organisation. You know sometimes propaganda is being spread every now and then. We have to check whether it is serious issue, we will see but it is baseless allegation and it is all wrong,” he said.
Reaffirming his commitment to public service, Dhar said, “The way the statement has come from political parties. So many people want to spread negativity against me personally but I don’t worry as my duty is to work for my people of the state and development of the state to achieve greater heights. That is my intention and that is our focus as a government also.”
The controversy erupted after the HNLC’s General Secretary accused Dhar of financially supporting the banned militant outfit during his time in the Congress-led government. The Voice of the People Party (VPP) promptly demanded an impartial probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), citing national security concerns.
Echoing the demand, the Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) called for Dhar’s resignation to facilitate an unbiased investigation. The Congress also noted the gravity of the allegations, especially given Dhar’s past association with the party and his current stature in the ruling National People’s Party-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government.
