Jemino questions rival’s contribution

SHILLONG: Jemino Mawthoh, who is the common candidate of the MDA for Shillong parliamentary seat, said on Tuesday Congress MP Vincent Pala “has not made any outstanding contribution” to the state during his stint at the Centre.
In an interview with The Shillong Times on the eve of filing his nomination, Mawthoh compared the contributions of two-term MP Pala, and George Gilbert Swell, who was deputy speaker in the Lok Sabha.
Mawthoh, while countering the Congress’s remark on the limitations of regional parties, said Swell was instrumental in achieving statehood and bringing NEHU.
“The Congress says that regional parties will not reach anywhere but GG Swell had proven them wrong,” he added.
Swell was elected to the Lok Sabha twice, once from the Congress in 1984 and the second time as independent in 1996.
However, the UDP general secretary pointed out that Pala and he “are good friends though the political parties are different”.
Mawthoh sounded confident as he banked on the unity of the NPP-led coalition government. “I will work on the strength of unity and stability of the present government,” he said.
Commenting on facing the two-term MP, Mawthoh said the collective effort taken by the MDA partners – NPP, PDF, UDP-HSPDP and an independent will ensure victory for him.
“Because of the collective decision taken, I am sure we are going to defeat the Congress this time. Look at the vote share, in the last two MDC elections, the Congress was leading by a small margin. It will not be an uphill task for us if we come together,” he said.
He criticised the Congress for harping on the MDA’s link with the BJP and maintained that the political parties are living in a coalition era and pointed out that the BJP is contesting the Lok Sabha elections solo.
Slamming the national parties, he said both BJP and Congress are the same in terms of issues like the Citizenship Bill, ban on cow slaughter and disturbances in terms of religious beliefs.
Agenda
When asked about his agenda, Mawthoh said the issues at the national, state and local levels “are to be linked by working together with the present MDA government and the two autonomous district councils”.
Mawthoh said the state should not be left out from the realm of development as there is a need to voice concerns for better road connectivity, explore possibilities of inviting international and national players for investment in different sectors such as in agriculture, health, education and power, among others.
With several concerns raised over influx, he spoke about making an effort to bring effective mechanism to protect and safeguard the interest of the indigenous population without infringing the rights of other people and without discriminating them.
As for the funds, he said, “What are we doing with the money which is supposed to be given to us?”
Another agenda is to continue the demand for including Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
Pointing to the plight of farmers in the state, Mawthoh spoke about making an effort to include cultivable crops under minimum support price.
“As far as urban governance is concerned, I will make effort to restore the lost glory of Shillong and its pristine beauty and work comprehensively with the state government to address issues of congestion and beautification,” he said.
Mawthoh also mentioned border haats and the need to work out a solution with Assam to resolve the long-pending border dispute. “I will not promise the sun and the moon but will make efforts to work on the concerns of the state.”
Creating employment opportunities for the youth is also on his list.
MLAs and MDCs of Khasi and Jaintia Hills as well as other UDP leaders will accompany Mawthoh to the DC office for filing of nomination on Wednesday.