TURA: The war of words between the two bitter political rivals in the state, Congress and the National People’s Party appears to have entered the classrooms as Chief Minister Mukul Sangma and NPP chief Conrad K Sangma mark their verbal spat with school boy’s lingo ahead of the February 27th elections in the state.
While the chief minister at a rally in Babadam village on Wednesday had ridiculed the Tura MP of failing to do his ‘homework’ with regards to the impending project for improvement of road condition in the plain-belt region of west Garo Hills, Conrad Sangma has returned the salvo targeting Mukul Sangma of failing in his ‘classwork’.
The National President of NPP who was in East Garo Hills constituencies of Songsak and Rongjeng on Friday to hold several campaign meetings drumming up support for party candidates Nihim D. Shira and Jim M. Sangma, did not let go of the opportunity.
At a rally in Dagal, under Songsak constituency, where its sitting NPP legislator Nihim D Shira is pitted against the chief minister Mukul Sangma, the NPP leader Conrad Sangma took on his bête noire from the Congress.
“Chief Minister Mukul Sangma has accused me of not doing my homework about the roads in plain belt area of Garo Hills. But, everyone knows how terrible the road condition is in the plain belt region. He is trying to sell a false dream to the people about National Highway-127 B which is yet to become a reality. I feel sorry for Mukul Sangma because he has failed even in his class work,” sarcastically remarked the NPP president.
The Tura MP alleged that fear has gotten to the Congress chief minister because of the ‘mass’ public support being given to the NPP.
“Mukul Sangma is afraid of the NPP which is why he is making all possible attempts to harp on the issue of development, which is nothing but a trailer for a failed Bollywood movie. He has failed the people of Meghalaya and the people have lost their trust on the Congress. He can make every attempt but this time we will ensure the people stay united and dethrone him and the Congress from power,” thundered Conrad Sangma at the Dagal rally.
On the “Memorandum industry” tag leveled against him by chief minister Mukul Sangma who said that the Tura MP has the habit of rushing off to Delhi for every issue to submit memorandums to the central government, Conrad Sangma hit back by saying, “I go to Delhi with the issues of the state because I am concerned for my peoples’ wellbeing. As the MP from Meghalaya it is my duty to interact with the central government and highlight the needs of my people.”
On the decision of the chief minister to contest from the twin constituencies of Ampati and Songsak, the NPP President termed it as an ‘ego battle’ of Mukul Sangma.
“He is trying to satisfy his ego by contesting from Songsak. During campaign for the Tura Lok Sabha By-election in 2016, Mukul Sangma said he will wipe out NPP from songsak and Dadenggre. That is only his wishful dream. He is finding it hard to even retain Ampati which is why he choose Songsak as a second seat. The verdict on March 3rd will reveal people’s rejection of Mukul Sangma in both Ampati and Songsak,” a confident Conrad Sangma announced.
The younger son of Late P A Sangma told the crowds that false promises about development had brought the Congress to its knees. “People are leaving the Congress in droves and joining the NPP because they are fed up of Mukul Sangma’s dictatorial attitude. Other Congress leaders have opted out of the election fearing imminent defeat at the hands of the NPP,” he added.
Hard selling the NPP brand of ‘governance’, the Tura MP said that a positive era would come to Meghalaya under the NPP. He further said that the people of Meghalaya had suffered a lot under Congress regime and the time had come for the people to be conscious of their rights and vote for a government that would ensure them a secure, independent and conducive environment for growth and development.
“We as a party would ensure that the momentum for growth is not region centric. We have charted out a strategic plan for holistic development of Meghalaya,” said Conrad Sangma to his supporters who gathered in large numbers to listen to his speech at Dagal.