From Our Correspondent
TURA: The leader of the National People’s Party (NPP) and former Lok Sabha Speaker, Purno A Sangma, has claimed that a change from the NCP to the NPP would not impact his support as the people of Garo Hills do not wish to know the party but only their leader.
The seasoned politician from Garo Hills who continues to make waves both in and outside the State following his failed contest in the recent election to the post of President of India spoke to The Shillong Times during his final lap of the campaign in Garo Hills for Saturday’s polls in the State.
“From my contest on the first symbol of the Congress which was that of a cow and a calf to the hand, the Trinamool’s grass symbol, NCP’s clock and now the book of the NPP there has been no difference in the voting pattern for me by the people,” said the senior Sangma when asked about the acceptability factor of the new party.
“People in Garo Hills don’t know the party. They know their leader,” he quipped while claiming that his party would win over a dozen and a half seats in the Garo Hills alone.
“Over 18 in Garo Hills, more than six in Khasi-Jaintia Hills and three Independents backed by us will get us the numbers,” Sangma claimed boldly while lashing out at Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma and the Congress for undermining his work as an MP and an MLA.
“Mukul Sangma claims I did not do anything? Then who brought the Doordarshan, All India Radio, Coffee and Rubber Board, Central Agriculture University Home Science college, was it him?” he questioned.
“I dare the Chief Minister to show me one instance of development he has brought to Garo Hills,” challenged Purno. Terming law and order as one of the biggest challenges to the Garo Hills, The NPP leader has said that holding talks with the armed outfits would be a priority of his party to bring back peace to the region.
“Too much blood is being shed and I am opposed to that. Whenever there is an exchange of fire between police and militants casualties on both sides are Garos. We must bring an end to this violence,” asserted Purno