SHILLONG: Ending his bureaucratic career, nominated Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, HM Shangpliang has begun his career in active politics after formally joining the Indian National Congress here in Shillong.
HM Shangpliang who was holding different important positions like Secretary, General Administration department (GAD) and Director, National Health Mission, took voluntary retirement from the services to contest the upcoming 2018 Assembly elections from Mawsynram constituency on a Congress ticket.
Speaking to media persons after joining the Congress party, Shangpliang said that he decided to take the plunge into politics as there is greater scope to help and work for the people.
He also asserted that people in the constituency wanted development as the area has hardly seen any development in the past.
“I have no other agenda besides ensuring good road, good education and good health care system in the constituency,” he told reporters while slamming the incumbent MLA, PN Syiem for neglecting the people.
“People are disgusted and even MLA scheme has not been implemented properly,” he said
Maintaining that Mawsynram is the poorest and neglected constituency in the whole stage, Shangpliang also informed that more than 7500 primary members in the area have already registered themselves with the Congress and more than 100 units have been formed in the area.
Expressing confidence that party would easily sail through in the upcoming Assembly elections, the bureaucrat-turned-politician, pointed out that he decided to join Congress as it was the oldest party and it had provided a stable Government in Meghalaya.
“We can see that normalcy has been restored and law and order situation in the state is good now,” he said.
On being asked about the allegations that he misused his official position and distributed schemes in Mawsynram constituency, Shangpliang said that the Government had examined all the charges and it felt that there was nothing to substantiate on the allegations and hence he was cleared of charges besides allowing him to go on voluntary retirement.