'Sangma's resignation act of frustration'

Shillong, June 21 (IANS) Meghalaya Chief Minister and Congress leader Mukul Manda Sangma Thursday termed the resignation of presidential candidate and former Lok Sabha speaker Purno Sangma from his Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) as "an act of frustration".

"It's a complete reflection of his frustration because he has failed in state (Meghalaya) politics. He has failed as a legislator and, therefore, it is reflected by his action," the chief minister told journalists.

Sangma, who has been fielded as a presidential candidate by AIADMK chief J. Jayalalithaa and Biju Janata Dal chief Naveen Patnaik, quit the NCP Wednesday after his party mounted pressure on him to dropout of the presidential race in favour of United Progressive Alliance (UPA) nominee Pranab Mukherjee.

Asked if he would extend support to the former speaker, who is from the same tribe as him in Meghalaya, Mukul Sangma ruled it out and took a swipe at him for his "lack of achievement".

"With such a long innings in politics, with so much of privileges and having been in power where he (Purno Sangma) had held such positions, he could have done so much and make a difference in the lives of the people particularly the people in whose name (tribals) he is claiming that he is a candidate," he said.

"Forget about the whole country. Look at his own constituency, the whole Garo Hills region is in such a mess and the government is trying to address it now. Forget about the whole Garo Hills... go to his village and his wife's village and try to find out what exactly he has contributed."