By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The last day of the election campaigns in the State was marked with a festive mood in most constituencies as hundreds and thousands of people, carrying their party’s flags and shouting slogans were seen rallying along-side their candidate throughout Shillong.
The same was witnessed in Mawlai constituency where the two major parties, Congress and UDP carried out their rallies on Thursday, taking various routes to avoid colliding with their rival’s party and held a public gathering in various destinations. The congress party held a gathering at Madan Heh in Phudmuri while UDP conducted the public gathering at a playground at Mawroh.
The turn-out of supporters of the Congress and UDP during the rallies was almost the same, making it difficult to predict which candidate will emerge victorious in the elections from this constituency.
Addressing the gatherings, both the candidates of the Congress and UDP, FS Cajee and Embhah Syiemlieh started leveling allegations against each other. While Cajee blamed Syiemlieh of being a yes-man of big businessmen and industrialists, Syiemlieh on the other hand, alleged the Congressman of using money power to buy his votes.
Syiemlieh, who in tears while addressing a rally in Mawroh, promised the people to serve the people in a clean and transparent manner while reiterating that he has no money to offer them except love and service.
“I feel for my people and I want to help you through my deeds. I don’t have any money to pay you,” said Syiem and his emotional outbursts stroke an immediate resonance with the crowd. “We are with you. Please don’t cry,” echoed the supporters.
It may be noted, that in the 2003 assembly elections, MDP candidate from Dienglieng constituency Martle N Mukhim, was also in the same situation when he was on his knees and urged the electorate to vote for him.
Cajee, on the other hand, went all out assuring the people that the much needed change in the constituency can be brought about only by the Congress while stating that his fight in this election is against the rich businessmen who wanted to force themselves in the political arenas, with no intentions to serve the people but their own interests while blaming Syiemlieh as one such person who would agree with everything these rich men would say.
Meanwhile, commenting on the nature of the UDP party, Cajee said this party lacks discipline which only goes on to depict that the leader himself is no less than his supporters.
For the second time, Cajee christened the UDP party with a new name and this time he termed UDP as a ‘United Drinking Party’. Recently, offended by an unpleasant response from the public during a public common platform, he called the UDP as an Undisciplined Democratic Party.
“This party is a united drinking party as its members are only concern of making money by suggesting setting up wine stores in many localities of Mawlai which cannot be accepted.” Cajee added.
Meanwhile, following an exchange of blazing comments and allegations, both the candidates in the end reached out to the people, ultimately asking for votes, while promising a secure future.