TURA: The campaign for South Tura has ended with each of the four contesting candidates making a last ditch effort to reach out to voters.
Meghalaya Chief Minister and NPP candidate Conrad K Sangma has termed this election as one where voters are looking to elect not just a legislator but the chief minister to bring about overall development which they have been deprived of for many years.
“People of Garo Hills and Tura are yearning for development and want to exercise their power to elect the chief minister of the state. They are discarding their political affiliations and their candidates because they are aware that this election is about electing the chief minister,” said Conrad Sangma as he went on to speak about the decision of former South Tura political candidates, Billykid A Sangma, Bernard Rimpu N Marak and Jingjang Marak opting out of the race to support his candidature in this election.
“Tura is the most important constituency in Garo Hills and the second largest town in the state. Both have been deprived of the much needed development during the tenure of the previous government. Today the voters of Tura have the power to change that,” said Conrad Sangma.
That doesn’t appear to hold much water for Congress candidate Charlotte W Momin who believes only the Congress party can provide stability to the state.
“The policies and programmes of the NPP do not auger well for the people of this state. Only the Congress can rectify the problems. His statements about no reservation of seats in technical studies for students of the state and work permits for Bangladeshis show his inexperience,” claim Momin in an interaction with the media on the eve of campaigning coming to an end.
Independent candidate John Leslee K Sangma in his message to voters has called upon them to rise above party politics and think as a citizen of aro Hills for its interests.
“We do not subscribe to his (Conrad’s) stand and the stand taken by Late P A Sangma regarding the reservation policy and I will not allow him to dilute it any way. His idea of issuing work permit to check illegal infiltration by Bangladeshis is also absurd. My intention is to stop him and those opposed to his ideas should join me in the fight and release the temporary chief minister because if he can do so much damage to the people in four months God knows what he will do if given a full term,” alleges Independent John Leslee Sangma.
For Chris Kabul A Sangma, another Independent, ensuring land rights to the residents of the town and bringing all round development to Tura are his prime concerns.