SHILLONG: Union Minister of State for Tourism Alphons Kannanthanam has termed Meghalaya as one of the poorest states in the country and blamed Mukul Sangma and his Cabinet ministers for the people’s plight.
Addressing a gathering in Sohra on Thursday, Kannanthanam urged the people to stop politicians from robbing them by ousting them out in the 2018 Assembly elections.
“Meghalaya is one of the poorest states in India. The people are poor, by and large, why is that happening? The party which was ruling India was stealing people’s money,” he said while narrating the reason for his joining BJP.
“We will bring an honest government in Meghalaya that will work for you,” he added.
Having been slammed by the Congress for tagging BJP as anti-Christian, Alphons said, “We shall continue to protect Christians and therefore please vote for BJP.”
Alphons stated that under the Congress rule only 3 km of road was constructed per day whereas under the present BJP government, 23 km of road is being constructed per day, adding that under the PMGSY, 130 km of road is also being constructed.
He highlighted on the achievements of the BJP with regard to opening of bank accounts for the people, construction of toilets, giving away cooking gas to the people.
Later, speaking to reporters, he said that the congress has completely cheated the people of Meghalaya and there has to be a change of government.
On naming poll candidates, Kannanthanam said BJP would take into account the preference of the people of Sohra before recommending the name of a candidate from the constituency.
Cong made state…
(Contd from P-3) “We will recommend whoever the people of this place choose. If the people of Sohra choose somebody or show preference for somebody, he will certainly be the candidate,” Kannanthanam told reporters at the end of a public meeting at Maraikaphon in Sohra on Thursday.
Meanwhile, BJP national spokesperson, Nalin Kohli commented on the prospect of BJP aspirant, describing PW Khongjee, a former MLA, as an established leader who lost the last election narrowly.
“He joined the party recently and is one of the leading aspirants,” he said.
“We are here to assess and carry the message to the central leadership and obviously we do lay a lot of credence and importance to those who already had a track record of serving the people….one who has got elected, he is a very leading candidate for us,” Kohli said.
He said the public meeting at Sohra, Maraikaphon was successful as people attended the meeting even on a working day.
Kohli informed that the announcement of any seat will be done only by the central election committee while surveys were being conducted and that the party would pick the most winnable candidates.
Obliquely referring to the BJP’s success in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland, he said, “We believe the people of Meghalaya want a government that will bring development, roads, employment, education, health and most importantly revive the economy whether in terms of coal, limestone and industry keeping in mind the protection of the environment.”
