GUWAHATI: With just a couple of days before Williamnagar finally goes to the hustings, another Independent candidate, Lahatson N. Marak has spoken up against the failure of the past legislators to perform, saying that they talked only about development and ignored the realities on the ground.
“Even after over four decades of Williamnagar becoming a civil subdivision, basic amenities such as roads, drinking water, healthcare and education still elude the constituency,” Marak told The Shillong Times on Wednesday.
He alleged that neither former education minister, Deborah C. Marak nor Marcuise N. Marak were aware of the scheme of things in the urban affairs department.
“The urban affairs department was set up in 1972 and it is ironical that the activities started only in the mid-nineties. Till date, it lacks engineers and other technical officers,” Marak said.
On Tuesday, another Independent candidate, Sengbath R. Marak who was associated with Congress earlier, had minced no words to criticise the failure of the former MLAs to bring about development in the past 40 years.
“Besides, unlike the other districts of the state, East Garo Hills does not have a District Institute of Education and Training, which is indicative of how laidback the district has been in regard to education,” Marak said, obliquely referring to the gaps that exist in the education sector despite the education portfolio held by the former minister and Williamnagar MLA (Deborah).
The Independent candidate, who also was associated with Congress earlier, also expressed concern about the lack of drinking water in the constituency.
“We have such a beautiful river, Simsang, that runs through the middle of the town, and yet nothing has been done for arranging adequate water supply by the public health engineering department,” he said.
Asked what his agenda would be if he won, Marak said, “My priority is to ensure that the urban affairs, PWD and PHE departments are full-fledged entities to ensure optimum performance. Education too is there while the civil hospital here, which as of now exists only in name, lacks specilists or equipment. So there is work in these sectors too.”
He further opposed the proposal of chief minister Conrad K. Sangma to issue work permits to Bangladeshi nationals. “Such a move will cause harassment to local people, most of whom particularly in the hills belt are unaware of the ramifications of it,” Marak cautioned.
A multi-cornered contest is on the cards with as many as nine candidates in the fray.
Williamnagar has 32,345 voters and the seat was represented during 2013-2018 by Deborah.
The election to the constituency in East Garo Hills district had to be deferred following the killing of NCP candidate, Jonathone N. Sangma, allegedly by GNLA militants, just a few days ahead of the February 27 polls.
The results of the election will be declared on May 1.