SHILLONG: The National People’s Party got a major shot in its arm ahead of next month’s Assembly elections after eight former MLAs, mostly from Congress, joined the party here on Thursday.
The eight legislators include Sniawbhalang Dhar (Nartiang), Comingone Ymbon (Raliang), Hopeful Bamon (Sutnga Saipung), Stephanson Mukhim (Amlarem), Prestone Tynsong (Pynursla), Remington Pyngrope (Mawkynrew), Rowell Lyngdoh (Mawkyrwat) and Ngaitlang Dhar (Umroi).
Speaking at a massive public rally held at Polo to induct the former MLAs into the party, NPP national president, Conrad Sangma accused chief minister, Mukul Sangma of destroying the dreams of the forefathers of Meghalaya like BB Lyngdoh and Captain Williamson Sangma who were the former chief ministers of Meghalaya.
“This is why many people left Congress,” Sangma said, while stressing on the need to fulfill the dreams and ideas of the veteran leaders from the state.
Accusing the chief minister of going on an inauguration spree, Sangma said one officer in Garo Hills was recently asked by the principal secretary to see if there was anything which needed to be inaugurated “since the chief minister was looking at inaugurating each and everything.”
Sangma also alleged that a government guest house in Garo Hills was being used as a police station (which was inaugurated recently) while newly opened civil sub-division offices were functioning from indoor stadiums.
Attacking the chief minister and sports minister for not attending the ceremony for signing the host city contract for the National Games 2022, Conrad alleged that both the ministers were busy inaugurating projects in Garo Hills.
Sangma maintained there was no education, youth and tourism policy even after 45 years of statehood and expressed confidence that a change was imminent in Meghalaya.
Earlier, Tynsong who joined NPP said they were being accused as selfish politicians after their decision to leave Congress.
“We are selfish for the interest of the state and our blood, heart and soul is for the people of the state,” Tynsong said.
Slamming the chief minister for holding too many departments, Tynsong said out of 29 chief ministers in the country, Mukul Sangma is the only one who is holding not less than 18 departments.
He also lambasted the government saying that it promised Rs 5,000 to each beneficiary under Livestock Mission but why the missions were not launched four and a half years back.
“Take these schemes from them but vote for NPP,” he said.
He also alleged that development schemes in the state were going only to certain pockets of Garo Hills region and a few areas of Khasi-Jaintia Hills region even as he accused Mukul Sangma of trying to divide the people of the state.
He also clarified that NPP was not a team B of BJP and that NPP has its own mission document, ideology and constitution.
Veteran politician, Rowell Lyngdoh said Meghalaya expected a change and it would come only after voting out the Congress-led government from the state.
Lyngdoh also felt there was a need for a relook at the various policies of the state government especially for tribals.
“We have to look at policies which were poorly implemented in the state. We need change because of the dictatorial chief minister, who never listens to us,” Lyngdoh said.
NPP MLA James Sangma, while speaking at the rally, rued the fact that North-eastern people have been ignored for too long by the central government because people remained divided and party would now fight not only for Meghalaya but for all tribals and religious minorities.
While urging upon everyone to work hard to form the new government, Sangma said NPP was not about an individual but about a team.
Deputy chief minister of Manipur, Joykumar Yumnam asserted that Meghalaya would prosper if the three major communities of the state work together.
Alleging that some political parties were trying to divide the three communities, Yumnam said NPP was the only party which stands together for the entire region.
Sniawbhalang Dhar, while speaking at the meeting, termed Mukul Sangma as the “chief minister of Ampati”, while assuring they would bring a shining future for Meghalaya.
“It was never in the history of Congress that so many MLAs left the party,” he said.
Earlier, the party also introduced many of its candidates who would contest the election on an NPP ticket.
During the rally, NPP election songs were also released while many MDCs also joined the party.
