Conrad follows Purno’s footsteps, launches campaign from Adokgre
TURA: The National People’s Party (NPP) candidate Conrad K Sangma kickstarted his election campaign in true Purno Sangma style by holding his first public meeting from Adokgre village in North Garo Hills on Monday.
The village of Adokgre, nestled on the foothills and forming a part of Kharkutta constituency, was the launch pad of Late P A Sangma’s every election campaign to Parliament.
“It gives me immense honour to begin my campaign from Adokgre the place which had always been close to my late father,” said Conrad Sangma while speaking to the gathering on a hot and windy afternoon.
Dwelling on the legacy of his late father P A Sangma he said, “My father always had love and affection for the people of Garo Hills and development was always his priority. Today we have Doordarshan, tea, rubber and coffee boards present in Garo Hills to help us and these are some of the development aspects of my father’s tenure,” said the NPP candidate and now its national president.
Responding to the opposition charges that labelled him as a defeated politician following his loss in the 2013 assembly elections from Selsella, he said “My opponents criticise me as someone who could not retain an Assembly seat, but defeat is also a part of learning. We learn from our failures and it only strengthens us in the future.”
The young NPP leader was magnanimous in his gratitude to those who helped at his father’s funeral and offered gratitude to both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief minister Mukul Sangma for all their help.
“Prime Minister Modi gave all help to ensure our late leader’s mortal remains was brought to Tura at the earliest and also sent a high level delegation of union ministers to accompany the final journey from Delhi to Tura,” said Conrad.
On Mukul Sangma, the NPP leader expressed gratitude to the state government for pulling out all stops to ensure the funeral service went off successfully.
Former union minister Agatha Sangma, younger sister of Conrad, also addressed the gathering. Speaking about her brother she said, “he is a bright leader who if given a chance can raise the voice of the people of Garo Hills in Parliament. I hope others share a similar thought and view as mine.”
The NPP election campaign team held three meetings on Monday- Adokgre, Chibonga and Mendipather.
At Chibonga, Conrad Sangma’s mother and Widow Soradini K Sangma addressed the public where she expressed gratitude to the people for reposing their faith on her late husband every successive election.
“I have only words of gratitude to give to the people of Garo Hills for the many years of support given for my late husband. As a human being he may have made mistakes sometime for which I seek forgiveness,” said Mrs Sangma.
On the decision of Late P A Sangma to bing his youngest daughter Agatha and sons James and Conrad into the political field, Mrs Sangma revealed that the family had discussed the issue a long time back.
“My late husband always said we must never forget the love and support bestowed upon us by the people of Garo Hills.We have a very big debt to repay to the people. That is why the three children decided to join politics and serve the people of Garo Hills,” said Mrs Sangma.