TURA: For Conrad K Sangma, this was truly a ‘first’ of sorts. Tasked with the responsibility of rejuvenating a party orphaned by the demise of the charismatic P A Sangma, the young politician had not only pulled a near impossible electoral win against the might of the seemingly invincible Congress, he also cuffed up enough arithmetic to head the government of a state that had once witnessed his father’s meteoric rise.
And today, when he was chauffeured into Garo Hills on his maiden visit as the chief minister, giant colourful gates with a beaming picture of him and NPP flags dotting both sides of the highway from Bajengdoba to Tura, welcomed him.
The eager and the excited braved the hot summer sun to catch a glimpse of their new leader along his halts during the journey from Shillong to the party’s bastion in Garo Hills. Onwards from Resubelpara, Bajengdoba, Jengjal, closer home in Asanang and finally at the Dikki Bandi stadium, for his supporters, it
seemed as though the ‘winds of change’ were indeed blowing.
Addressing a sea of supporters during his felicitation programme at the stadium on Saturday evening, the new chief minister did not fail to recall the contributions of his predecessor during his tenure.
In a tongue in cheek gesture he expressed gratitude to former chief minister Mukul Sangma for his eight long years of service as the head of the state.
“I am extremely grateful to Mukul Sangma for his contribution to the state as chief minister for the last eight years,” said Conrad.
Overjoyed by the large turnout for his felicitation, Conrad said this government would be that of ‘team work’ and not a ‘one-man’ show. His predecessor was time and again blamed by disgruntled Congress leaders for dictatorial ways of working.
“We welcome positive ideas from people and look forward to working together,” said Conrad as nostalgia gripped him recalling his late father’s advice to always work for the people.
The new chief minister has placed upon himself the arduous task of solving the gigantic problem of the Sarva Shikshan Abhiyan teachers’ row.
Hundreds of SSA teachers in the state have not been paid their dues for years now.
“Education is very important to this government which is why it has received its highest allocation. For the SSA teachers’ problem we have already held discussions with the central government and put forward their case relating to their dues. Efforts are being made but it will take time,” assured Conrad.
The new chief minister has also reiterated his government’s plan to set up more schools and colleges in the most vulnerable areas of the state in the coming months and years and to obtain funds from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank for improvement and construction of rural roads.
“The goal of our government is to make Meghalaya a model state that others look up to,” said Conrad.
