TURA: The heat for next month’s state elections just got a notch higher following the announcement of the poll dates by the Election Commission of India on Thursday. Meghalaya goes to vote on February 27.
The oldest political party in the Garo Hills- Garo National Council has begun mobilizing its supporters as it prepares to contest in six Garo Hills constituencies.
Drumming up support for their newest member and sitting CEM of GHADC, Boston Ch Marak, the GNC on Thursday organized a large public rally at Salmanpara constituency in South West Garo Hills from where the council chief intends to contest.
Led by party president Kalpana D Sangma, the leaders spoke of the struggle and support it received from the people of Garo Hills since the days of the hill state movement which led to the creation of Meghalaya from Assam.
This election the GNC is fielding its president Kalpana D Sangma from Chokpot constituency which was previously held by her late husband and legislator Clifford Marak. She stated in her election speech that if elected the GNC would take the Garoland demand to the legislative assembly.
The Chief Executive Member of GHADC Boston Marak is contesting from his home constituency of Salmanpara while sitting Executive Member in GHADC and Amongpara MDC Jimberth Goera R Marak is taking on sitting legislator Saleng A Sangma in Gambegre constituency.
The former Deputy CEM and sitting MDC Augustine R Marak is taking the political battle to the doorsteps of Rophul S Marak in Siju-Rongara constituency and student leader spearheading the Garo Hills State Movement Committee Nikman Ch Marak is up against heavyweight Independent MLA Samuel M Sangma from Baghmara.
The GNC is also fielding Mafiara Mamuni T Sangma against chief minister Mukul Sangma’s wife Dikkanchi D Shira in Mahendraganj constituency.
Boston in his campaign address at the rally said that he had joined the GNC because it is the one and only political party of the Garos which led the struggle for statehood over fifty years ago. “It is an honour to be associated with such a party that has in its agenda solely the welfare of the people of Garo Hills,” said the GHADC CEM.
“Ours is the oldest political party in the Garo Hills and only the GNC can and will fight for the rights of the people of Garo Hills,” added party general secretary Henyshing A Sangma at the rally.
Student leader Nikman Marak questioned the role of political parties and leaders in leading the state which despite having immense potential for growth was still lagging behind.
“Since time immemorial Garos have never been under anyone and always fought for our rights. Garo Hills is immensely rich with minerals and forest cover, colorful birds and animals and yet we are lagging behind even close to fifty years. Only a separate Garo state can change that,” claimed Nikman Marak as he appealed to the public to vote in the GNC candidates.
Gambegre candidate and sitting MDC Jimberth Goera claimed that if elected the GNC legislators would push for the creation of Garoland state in the state assembly. Others who spoke included current Dy CEM of GHADC and GNC MDC Wenison Ch Marak who also happens to be a Nokma.
