TURA: Minister Deborah C Marak, who represents Williamnagar constituency, is facing rivalry both within and outside the party.
While ticket aspirants of the Congress are denouncing her for “pushing the constituency into backwardness”, rivals are focusing on performance in each sector, especially education and industry. Sengbath Marak, a local Congress leader and ticket aspirant, has unleashed a tirade of accusations of poor growth under the three-time legislator and party heavyweight from Simsanggre. Both Deborah and Sengbath are the top contenders for ticket. Both had worked together to strengthen the party in the district but fell out over political ambitions.
Holding a public rally at Rongsak in Williamnagar on Tuesday, Sengbath held the minister accountable for pushing the area backwards. “Rongsak is part of Williamnagar constituency but the area has been plagued by under-development in education sector, roads and communications. People have been deeply affected by the closure of the State Bank of India branch and the veterinary office,” said Sengbath.
He alleged that Rongsak region went without electricity for months due to MeECL’s failure to replace a damaged transformer.
“It was only after we provided a transformer to the village that electricity was restored,” said the businessman turned politician.
“The onus of choosing the right candidate lies with you — the voters. If you vote for money you don’t have the right to ask for development. Even if you vote for the party the responsibility to bring development lies with the elected individual. So one must ensure that the person who is voted works for you,” he added.
Deborah’s rivals, like BJP’s Santosh Marak and Jan Arengh, both ticket aspirants, have also upped their ante.
“Our focus is on taking everyone together with us. Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas. Setting up of food processing industry and improvement of education are some of the crucial points BJP is working on,” said party leaders.
Besides political parties, new entrants have also raised the level of competition for the Congress in other Garo Hills constituencies.
For instance, a village headman (Nokma) from North Garo Hills district has thrown his hat into the election ring.
Nokma of Resubelpara A’king Manosh Mangsang held a meeting of his supporters to declare his independent candidature for the elections from Resubelpara which is currently held by Congress heavyweight and former Meghalaya Chief Minister Salseng C Marak.
The Nokma on Wednesday expressed concerns about under-development in the region and said it was imperative to elect a genuine leader in North Garo Hills. “We are worthy to be called a North Pole or Pole star and we deserve all-round development,” the Nokma said while addressing a gathering here on Wednesday morning. Listing the problems which are ailing the region, the Nokma said despite Resubelpara being the district headquarters, there is no government college, road connectivity or proper market shed.
“The big question is how to solve the unemployment problem. Does anybody care about it? Only one bundle of CGI sheet of roofing under the MLA scheme cannot bring any change to our district,” he said and added that the rise in militancy is the result of lack of education and jobs.