SHILLONG: BJP MDC from Laitumkhrah Neil Antonio War said that the preparations for the upcoming election in 2018, are in full swing even as he maintained that the public want a change.
He said that contesting election is not a personal issue but it is as per the demand of the public.
A former Congress member, War deserted Congress along with others, Victor Ranee, Hadrian Lyngdoh, Albinus Lyngdoh and Banteidor Lyngdoh following the suspension of KHADC CEM PN Syiem.
He said, “As per media reports, we perceive that some Congress members will desert the party in the month of June. There will be further developments.”
Recalling the suspension of Syiem, he said that the State Government was indifferent to the issues plaguing the indigenous community of the state as raised by Syiem.
According to War, party does not come first but the burning issues of the people do, and added, “Congress has bulldozed the issues of the people.”
The state government and the KHADC were at loggerheads on the issue of Building bye-laws.
However, War said that legal experts were consulted with regard to MUDA Building bye-laws, and a writ petition will be filed next week.
Criticizing the State Government for not addressing issues concerning the people of the State, he said, “Even after many years of statehood, the state government is directionless as there are no proper policies.”
When asked on the UDP-HSPDP pre-poll alliance, he said that the UDP and HSPDP might have disagreements as the parties have their own candidates in various constituencies.
“Their formula to bring in a common candidate will depend on the wisdom of the leaders. It is the people who will give their mandate about the alliance,” he added.
Stating that the coalition will have to face ‘technical snags’ he observed that there will be dissidents in alliance.
Delay in release of funds
War criticised the State Government for the delay in the release of funds of the KHADC.
“ Rs 1000 crore package is a blessing from the Centre, but it has been reduced during the Budget 2016-17 from Rs 1000 crore to Rs 1 crore because the State Government delayed in releasing the funds to the KHADC in time ,” he said.
War, the executive member in charge of Finance in the KHADC said that there was a delay of one year to release the funds. “There is a plan on the part of the State Government to block all schemes from the Centre meant to benefit the people. The State government under the leadership of Mukul Sangma has no seriousness to look after the development of the state,” he said.
Blaming the State Government, he said, ‘In the year 2015-16- Rs 1000 crore was allotted and in 2016-17, we lost Rs 1000 crore. Now for 2017-18, we are reduced to Rs 500 crore. Our loss is Rs 1500 crore.”
