By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Congress candidate from Mawlai, Founder Strong Cajee has become the common target of three candidates, Embhah Syiemlieh (UDP), Pyndapborthiaw Saibon (KHNAM) and Teiborlang Pathaw (Independent) for the February 23 elections.
The emerging trend is that Cajee, who is also the sitting MLA of Mawlai will face stiff competition from UDP candidate Syiemlieh, who is also the sitting MDC of Mawlai. However, UDP will suffer a setback with senior UDP member SD Khongwir, also a former MLA shifting his support from UDP to Congress.
Mawlai which has been a strong hold of regional parties, however, in 2008 saw a change in the trend only once when Cajee (Congress) emerged victorious by defeating his nearest rival, PT Sawkmie (UDP) by a margin of 3079 votes.
In 2003, PT Sawkmie (MDP) defeated Cajee, who was then with the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) by 1782 votes. Again in 1998, Sawkmie (UDP) defeated Cajee (PDM) by 678 votes.
In the first Assembly elections, SD Khongwir who contested as Independent won the seat. Khongwir won again in 1978 and 1983 on HSPDP ticket and subsequently he continued to register his win in 1988 and 1993 on Hills People’s Union (HPU) ticket.
The biggest constituency in the State has the problems of water scarcity, poverty, youth employment and women empowerment which the candidates pledge to address if voted to power.
FS Cajee, while expressing confidence over his victory said that he has full faith in his party and declared that it is the only party that can bring about a stable government in the State which aimed at inclusive growth and development. “With a strong high command, discipline is maintained within the party though it cannot be denied that differences do arises but the same are being resolved subsequently with the interferences of the high command”, Cajee said.
The Mawlai legislator, who recently brought out an achievement report of his service to the constituency during the last five years, claimed that as
promised in 2008, he was able to fulfill some of the promises made to the people.
“I assure the people that if I am voted to power again, the remaining problems which remained un-resolved will be addressed in the next five years”, Cajee assured.
Embhah Syiemlieh stresses on need for change
Embhah Syiemlieh, while highlighting on the need for a change said that people want changes now and there are many problems in the constituencies which needs to be addressed, some of which includes health, roads, electricity and water supply, pollution emitted from the dumping ground at Mawlai Mawiong (marten), cultivation in remote areas of the constituency besides upliftment of the livelihood of the farmers.
“My aim to contest in the upcoming election is to bring about a clean and transparent government. I have been debating in the district councils on the burning issues which requires immediate attention but in vain as the key lies with the government. So if I am elected, I will try to bring up these issues to the notice of the government for immediate action on its parts”, Syiemlieh said.
Confident that he will emerge victorious in the elections, the UDP candidate said “I am not contesting against any particular individual or party, but I am fighting for the common people who deserve a change in the next five years.”
Eradication of poverty a priority for Saibon
Pyndapborthiaw Saibon stressed on the need to eradicate poverty from Mawlai while stating that about 60 out of 100 percent of the people in Mawlai are living below the poverty line which is a sad state of affairs for the biggest constituency in the state.
“If voted to power, I will assure that poverty is curbed down by making use of the MLA scheme in the right track and to make sure that the deserving lots are the beneficiaries”, Saibon said while ensuring to handle other problems as well like water supply, roads and upgradation of the polytechnic (Diploma)
at Mawlai to a full-fledged Shillong Engineering college.
Admitting that money plays a big role during elections, the KHNAM candidate said that people get swayed away by evil imprint of money during elections. “I am not contesting in the elections to fulfill the people’s desire for easy money but I stand to serve the people.
Constituency development in the cards for Pathaw
Teibor Pathaw said that it is high time to focus on development in the constituency as it was noticed that till date, there are still some remote areas where houses are without electricity and water supply is scarce.
“As we know that Mawlai is the backbone of the indigenous community, I think, it is about time we bring about a big change in the constituency”, he said.
Elaborating on his agendas, Pathaw said employment is the need of the hour even as stating that he alone could not promise employment to the unemployed youth if he win in the election but he could facilitate opening up a resource centre to act as a guide and provide training to the local youth. “Through this proposed centre, the youth will be given training, preparing them for the various competitive examinations”, he added.
Highlighting on the drawbacks of the constituency, Pathaw said that with new settlements, there arouse immediate needs like provisions of water supply, electricity and roads but none has been done in this regard. “If I get elected, I will try my best to look into this matter and ensure that people are not deprived of their requirements”, he added.
The biggest constituency in the state has about 33860 voters with 18394 female voters and 15266 male electorates and 53 polling stations.