Guwahati, Jan 29:  Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has ruled out dropping his Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui as demanded by the BJP in the wake of the latest coal pit mishap in East Jaintia Hills in which six lives were lost.
“That is the opinion of a political party and I don’t have anything to say but there is no question of dropping Mr Rymbui,” he said while reacting to coalition partner BJP’s demand to sack Rymbui for allegedly failing to curb illegal coal mining and transportation in the state. 
Targeting a few members of the state BJP, Sangma said: “Certain individuals are making these statements but it does not reflect the views and opinions and stand of the party (BJP). Almost 90 per cent of the party leaders are working very closely with the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) coalition partners,” he added. 
United Democratic Party (UDP) leader and Minister Kyrmen Shylla criticised the state BJP for demanding Rymbui’s ouster. “Asking the Home Minister to step down for an accident is unreasonable,” he said.
Expressing concern over the loss of six lives in the coal pit mishap on January 21, Shylla said the demand was akin to asking a transport minister to quit after a road accident.
“Illegalities cannot be denied but the Home Minister and the state government are trying their best to curb them,” he said.
Shylla said the BJP was free to leave the coalition if its leaders keep finding fault with the coalition government.
The ruling MDA-led by the NPP in Meghalaya comprises of UDP, HSPDP, PDF, BJP and NCP.