Our Bureau
TURA/SHILLONG: Even as the mercury is dipping in the first week of January, the political temperature seems to be soaring fast ahead of the Assembly polls in the state. BJP president Amit Shah on Saturday went ballistic against Chief Minister Mukul Sangma for overall lack of development despite the Centre sanctioning over Rs 56,000 crore to Meghalaya.
Addressing a gathering at his maiden campaign rally at Tikrikilla in West Garo Hills, Shah asked the public to hold Sangma accountable for the crores of rupees released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the development of the state.
When the Congress was in power at the Centre, he said, Meghalaya was accorded Rs 5,817 crore as the 13th Finance Commission award whereas under the 14th Finance Commission, during Modi’s rule, the state received Rs 25,413 crore.
“Ask Mukul, what he has done with over Rs 25,000 crore meant for the development of the state,” Shah said.
Later, while addressing party workers in Shillong in the evening, the BJP president said the Congress-led state government has not carried out development works in upgrading roads and hospitals and ensuring electricity and water supply.
He said the Centre sanctioned Rs 4 crore for Meghalaya under the clean India project, Rs 46 crore for urban transport, Rs 80 crore under the Atal Mission for urban transformation and Rs 100 crore for Umiam Lake, but no perceptible change is noticeable.
Shah further asserted that Rs 9,000 crore was sanctioned for the Agia-Mendipathar-Tura road, Rs 2,800 crore for Mankachar-Mahendraganj road, Rs 6,000 crore for the Jowai-Khanduli road project, Rs 500 crore for JN Complex, Shillong, Rs 4,000 crore for Sonapur road and Rs 1,400 crore each for stadiums in Khasi Hills and Garo Hills.
The senior BJP leader put the total funds released at Rs 31,211 crore after adding other central projects to the list.
“If we add the 14th Finance Commission award of Rs 25,413 crore with Rs 31,211 crore, the amount will be over Rs 56,000 crore, yet there are no signs of development,” he deplored, adding that it was evident that the development funds had been usurped by the powers that be.
“Modi has given top priority to development of the North-East, which is the reason that the funds were increased. But it is shocking
that nothing has happened in Meghalaya… Strengthen Modi and BJP in the upcoming election and we promise to give back Meghalaya accelerated growth and development,” he told the crowd at Tikrikilla, assuring that Meghalaya would emerge as a model state in the next five years.
“The central government is asking for a project completion certificate but the Meghalaya government has failed to furnish it as it has done nothing and has engaged in loot and corruption,” he alleged.
BJP not anti-Christian
A crowd of over 20,000 attended the rally where all top BJP functionaries, including Assam Cabinet minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Union Tourism Minister KJ Alphons, assured that the BJP will form a government that “will be acceptable to all”. They also asked the electorate not to fall prey to the Congress’s misinformation campaign that BJP is anti-Christian and anti-minorities.
Shah began his 25-minute speech by shouting Bharat Mata ki jai to thunderous applause. “Modi should hear the loud noise from Meghalaya that BJP will form the next government in 2018 in your state,” he said.
Keeping up the tempo of Modi’s call for “Congress-mukt Bharat”, Shah asked the people to wipe out the Congress from Meghalaya. “If Congress loses this election it would mean that BJP is finally at the service of the people of Meghalaya where development will usher in an era of growth,” he said.
Pointing to the state’s tourism potential, Shah said, “The state has so much potential for tourism development but Mukul’s government has not built any infrastructure to facilitate growth of the tourism industry in Meghalaya.”
He also said healthcare and agriculture were sectors not given priority by the Congress, which has made the state suffer and fall sick. “Mukul is a doctor by profession but he has failed to ensure that his people stay in the pink of health,” he roared.
Cong leaders bought bungalows
Shah further lambasted Congress leaders for minting money to buy bungalows in Guwahati and Delhi while the people at home lived in penury. “Congress leaders who had nothing 15 years ago live in well-furnished houses today and has the best of fancy cars,” he alleged.
Assuring people that these trends would change, Shah said, “Modi has a vision for the North-East and Meghalaya and that dream will materialise if the people of the state come together to strengthen BJP in the upcoming election.”
Shah was in Meghalaya to drum up support for ex-Cabinet minister KC Boro, who is the candidate from the Tikrikilla constituency, and other BJP candidates in Meghalaya. Tikrikilla is considered to be a BJP stronghold with a mixed population of tribals and non-tribals, including minorities.