Archbishop’s poll message evokes positive response

SHILLONG: The message of Archbishop Dominic Jala on the plight of the poor and the needy in the state and the need for the government to address these concerns in the context of the upcoming polls has evoked positive response.
NPP state president WR Kharlukhi said it is a matter of concern that rural areas are left out of the development map of the state government and the statement of the Archbishop “is very much relevant”.
Last week, the Archbishop had said while going around different places, he had witnessed the plight of rural people, the poor, farmers, and people who live on the outskirts where communication, health services and educational facilities are poor and added that there was a need to have a change from the current pattern of governance.
“The portion related to the plight of the poor and the needy has touched my heart. We are concerned about their current state of affairs,” Kharlukhi said.
In a statement, GHADC MDC Augustine R Marak said the people of Meghalaya will welcome such suggestions and advices by the Archbishop for the overall change of the state.
“The Archbishop has rightly asserted that our state needs facilitators, legislators and people who are committed to legislate the laws and policies in favour of the general people,” Marak said.
According to Marak, the Archbishop indicated that people of Meghalaya should vote for those candidates who are really committed to legislate laws and policies and not for those who are purchasing votes for winning the elections.
“If we really want to change the state and ensure development, we have to avoid such dirty activities like distributing goods by candidates,” the MDC said.
He said for the change of the state, first the mindset of the people who are casting their valuable votes should change.
He hoped that more messages from different religious leaders would help change the system of election that will in turn bring in good legislators in the upcoming polls.