TURA: Independent legislator Rophul S Marak withdrew his support to the Mukul Sangma-led Congress government on Wednesday because it “failed to fulfil people’s demand for development”.
“I am answerable to the people of my constituency and the district. People in my constituency are asking questions as to what we have done in our five-year tenure. They are demanding answers. The development work in South Garo Hills has been dismal. Our district has suffered immensely due to bad roads and lack of communication facilities. Since I am contesting the upcoming election as an independent candidate, I withdrew my support from the Meghalaya United Alliance government,” Marak said.
The MLA from Siju-Rongara in South Garo Hills had won the seat in 2013 and later extended his support to the Mukul Sangma government that rewarded him with the post of parliamentary secretary.
Marak accused the government of turning down many of his developmental project proposals despite being aware that the district is considered one of the most backward areas in the state.
“I had proposed to the government to set up a civil administrative unit in Nongalbibra town, which is about 60 km from the district headquarters of Baghmara. But this was also not considered by the government,” said Marak and added that people of Nongalbibra and its adjoining areas have to spend the entire day to reach Baghmara for a simple affidavit or a caste certificate.
The legislator also said a proposal to shift the Baghmara C&RD Block to a rural area like Siju was also turned down. The logic behind the demand was that Baghmara was already under a municipal board. Marak lamented that people in remote, hilly and rural areas of South Garo Hills are living on the edge because of poor communication facilities and the government was not making any effort to bring administration closer to the people.
“I had requested the government for construction of a multi-facility centre at Nongalbibra, which was even my election manifesto but it was also neglected. I am upset that the government failed to acknowledge the demands of the people in my area,” he added.
Marak, however, acknowledged the government’s decision to establish police stations in different parts of South Garo Hills and a civil sub-division in Chokpot.
