By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Politicians will never spare an opportunity to plead for votes. While addressing the fish farmers who had congregated at the Polo Grounds for the launching of the ‘Aqua-Culture Mission’ here on Monday, Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh sought people’s support for Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma and his cabinet colleagues for ‘the next five years’.
After showering praises on the Chief Minister and listing out the achievements of the present MUA Government, HDR Lyngdoh forgot that he was at an official function and for a moment thought he was addressing an election rally. The huge crowd turn-out perhaps was the catalyst that set the tone for the Home Minister’s speech.
He asked people to continue to re-elect the present government in the next elections so that more benefits would come their way. With the State going to polls early next year, politicians are subtly converting every public platform into an election podium.
Throughout his speech the Home Minister spoke of the achievements of Dr Mukul Sangma saying, stating that it was a “privilege” for him to work under a young and dynamic leader.
Lyngdoh, who spoke in the local dialect listed the ongoing construction of the four-lane highway from Jorabat to Umiam, the Shillong Bypass and also the recent launching of the first unit of the 126 MW Myntdu-Leshka Hydel Project as singular achievements of the present Government .
“Within a short period of less than two years in office, this government has been able to achieve a great deal in several fronts,” he said, adding, “I appeal to you to support this government so that it returns to power for the next five years”.
While all political parties have stepped up their activities and are trying to galvanize the party machinery at the grassroots, the ruling Congress has gone a step ahead and converted a government function into an election rally.
Those present at the function were taken aback at the use of a government function to send a political message.