SONGSAK/NONGSTOIN: NPP president and Tura MP Conrad K Sangma has blamed Chief Minister Mukul Sangma for failing to resolve the coal ban issue with the central government and the National Green Tribunal, which has resulted in job losses to thousands of families in both the Khasi-Jaintia and Garo Hills region.
Addressing a huge gathering in Mawshynrut in West Khasi Hills, Conrad accused the Congress government of destroying the local mining to suit the interest of major companies which are keen to have a foothold in the lucrative fuel industry.
“Chief Minister Mukul Sangma had the interests of the business lobby and made an attempt to push for coal mining through the companies which is why he never took up the coal ban issue with Prime Minister Modi to mitigate the problems faced by the entrenched coal workers,” said the young NPP chief.
“Mukul had an ulterior business lobby to push through for coal mining via big companies but the people of Jaintia Hills realised it and gave a thumbs down. They even branded the Meghalaya Mining Development Corporation (MMDC) as the “Mukul Mining Dikkanchi Corporation,” said Conrad.
“There is a strong political under-current taking place in Meghalaya with people having an urgent desire for change after losing hope in the Congress. There is no democracy in the party after the chief minister turned it into a ‘Mukul’ party,” claimed Conrad.
The NPP supremo, who took over the leadership mantle following the demise of his famous father P A Sangma in 2016, has embarked on a whirlwind tour of the length and breadth of the state by special chopper service during the last week of campaigning.
On Tuesday the NPP chief held campaign rallies at four different constituencies connecting the Garo and Khasi Hills region. Public rallies were held at Songsak and Kharkutta in North Garo Hills, Chokpot in South Garo Hills and coal rich belt of Shallang town under Mawshynrut constituency in West Khasi Hills district.
“If the people of Mawshynrut want to start coal mining and other development then please vote for NPP where Gigur Marthong is the candidate but if you don’t want to then you can again vote for the Congress,” he said.
Explaining the hardships faced by miners in the state, Conrad said, “I raised the issue (mining ban) in Parliament as well with the designated ministry many times because it concerned the livelihood of our people. Unfortunately, no action was taken from the side of the state government under the leadership of Mukul Sangma,” said the Tura MP.
“The Government of India had asked Meghalaya to draft a mining policy but Mukul has failed the people because he has no vision. NPP has a political will but no political power, if the people give their mandate NPP will ensure that mining starts again in the state,” Conrad said while specifying that mining is a thrust area which is part of the people’s document as NPP believes in scientific approach to coal mining.
Marthong said he had supported Francis Pondit Sangma and Witting Mawsor in the past few years but they did not do anything for the area and its people. He also stated that to be an MLA is hard word but he’s willing to do for the people.
“I was a supporter of HSPDP but it was difficult to work with the party where there is no hope to rule or form a government,” Marthong said.
