Meghalaya Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui has asked the BJP to first seek the resignation of its Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa before pointing fingers at others.
“If they need to ask for my resignation, the BJP should first ask the resignation of BS Yediyurappa. 6 people have died on January 21 in Shimoga, the home district of the Karnataka chief minister due to blasting of some illegal transport of some gelatin sticks,” Rymbui told reporters on Wednesday.
The Meghalaya Home minister was reacting to the recent demand by the BJP Meghalaya president Ernest Mawrie for his immediate resignation as Home minister over the issue of illegal coal mining which also led to the January 22 mining-accident that killed six labourers in East Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya.
Rymbui added, “I think the BJP should introspect being a national party. It should not only look at Meghalaya. They should look nationally as a very big party. Instead of pointing fingers (at others), they should also see what is happening in their own party.”
Stating that he is not a ‘coward’, the Home minister said, “I am not a coward, I am a person who never shy away from challenges or responsibilities…it is our duty to see how to overcome all the challenges.”
He however said that he is taking the criticism against him in a positive manner as it is his duty to see that action according to law is taken against illegal activities.
When asked, Rymbui said it is up to the chief minister Conrad K Sangma and the leadership of the United Democratic Party (UDP) to decide on whether to remove him from the post.
“I am here as a minister sponsored by the UDP and not by anybody and I am holding the portfolio because of our chief minister… so these two will take a decision but not by any Tom, Dick or Harry,” he stated.