By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Ever since Meghalaya attained its statehood, the State has not developed the way it should have and this is attributed to instable politics in the state, Mawprem sitting Legislator and Congress candidate from South Shillong, Manas Chaudhuri said while appealing people to vote for Congress which will ensure a single party government.
During a public meeting held at Rilbong Sports and Cultural Club ground here on Sunday, Chaudhuri expressed his confidence that this time the Congress will emerge victorious and will attain majority in the Assembly.
Stating that the regional parties are not a force to be reckoned with, Chaudhuri said “They (regional parties) are not that strong because after election, they have to join with the Congress to form a Government.”
Recollecting the Hill State movement, Chaudhuri said that it was former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi who materialized the hopes and aspirations of the people of the hill state and not some other parties.
“But, unfortunately ever since Meghalaya attained its Statehood, the State seems to remain stagnant and this is due to instable politics as evident from the number of governments we have had in the last 8 assembly elections”, Chaudhuri said. Stating that poverty rate is very high in the State, the Shillong South Congress Candidate called upon the citizens to empower the right politicians for the State to progress adding that what the State needs at present is development in all spheres.
Revealing his reasons for joining the congress party, Chaudhuri said “During the past few years, no matter how much I raised my voice and shouted in the Assembly, yet it is difficult to shake the government. So I thought, by being part of the government, I could bring about the much awaited change.”
“I joined the Congress unconditionally and I do not have any ulterior motives behind. It’s just not my own constituency, but there is a lot needed to be done in the State as a whole”, he asserted.
Meanwhile, All India Mahila Congress general secretary Poonam Rani Wangkhen pointed out that the outcome of the 2013 general election from the Shillong South constituency will depend on the female voters while stating that the women outnumbered the men in the electoral roll. In Shillong South constituency, out of a total of 27345 voters, there are about 13655 female voters to 13572 male voters, out of which 37 females and 81 males are service electors.
Noting the facts and figures, Wangkhen said that the female voters will decide the outcome of the election not only in the constituency but the State as a whole as witnessed from the statistics. “This implies that the women deserve more attention as they will decide the results at the end of the day”, she added.
Predicting that Chaudhuri will get 77 percent of the votes as compared to 52 percent during the last elections, Wangkhen said “Now that Chaudhuri has associated himself with the Congress, he should be able to get over 77 percent votes.” Boosting the capability of the Congress party, Wangkhen said “Congress is the only party which could bring about a sustainable government in India”, adding that unlike other parties, they have politicians who are prepared and who have the abilities to become a leader in the next ten years.
On the same note, Meghalaya Mahila Congress president EM War expressed her confidence on the strength of the congress stating that “The congress will be victorious in the 2013 elections.”