SHILLONG: Whether the Congress comes back to power in 2018 is yet to be seen but Mukul Sangma has already created a record by becoming the longest serving chief minister in Meghalaya in recent times.
The Meghalaya United Alliance, which formed the government on April 20, 2010, completed seven years in power on Thursday.
Sangma, whose birthday is also on April 20, became the chief minister after ousting D.D Lapang. After the 2013 Assembly polls, he was re-elected as the leader of the legislature party to head the MUA-II Government.
The Shillong Times on Thursday spoke to leaders from both the ruling and opposition parties and sought their views on the government’s performance.
PHE Minister Prestone Tynsong said the MUA Government under the leadership of Sangma has brought about changes in the State. “Out of the 100 per cent aspirations of the people, we have been able to fulfil at least 55 per cent,” Tynsong said.
On the other hand, UDP working president Bindo M Lanong said the government has failed on all fronts and “I don’t know how the next government will repay loans and debts worth thousands of crores”.
UDP is the main opposition party in the State.
Lanong pointed at the scams and rampant corruption in the system. “They are talking about rice from the Philippines, bamboo technology from Italy and piggery from Canada but how many promises they have fulfilled,” he added.
Look at the condition of Police Bazar even after they spent so much money for its beautification, he said.
The Congress-led MUA Government after completing its short stint of three years since 2010 won the 2013 elections and Sangma became the chief minister for a second term.
But the second innings of the MUA was marred with political rumblings and demands for change in leadership. However, the political storm passed by without much damage and now the MUA government is focusing on the 2018 Assembly elections.
