From Our Correspondent
TURA, April 10: The dust and grind has finally settled down as campaigning for the 29 MDC seats in the GHADC came to a close at 4 pm on Saturday with almost all major stakeholders turning their attention on Tura- the heart of Garo Hills, with the opposition Congress, the ruling NPP, MDA allies BJP and UDP, each letting loose their attack on one another as they made a last effort to woo the most votes to their side.
On expected lines, the campaign was filled with bluster and apprehensions about the future of the district council with the BJP and Congress cautioning the public against the NPP, that in turn warned the public about the ills caused to the oldest autonomous body at the hands of the Congress.
“Tura and the GHADC will always remain the pride of Garo Hills and we have taken the challenge of restoring their glory. While we have removed hundreds of ghost appointments in council and stopped misappropriation of funds from its treasury, the inhabitants of Tura no longer need to suffer from water shortage because we are implementing the Jal Jivan mission to the doorsteps of peoples’ homes,” claims Chief Minister Conrad Sangma as he announces at an election rally in Tura bazaar about the proposal to connect an additional 3 lakh homes with water taps within the next one year.
But the Congress has a different take on the ‘reforms’ claimed by the NPP as party leader Mukul Sangma urges people to give a befitting reply to the corruption charges against the NPP by voting them out.
“From the misappropriation of the Rs 100.71 crores in development funds to the GHADC to the financial scam in the MeECL and the Saubhagya electrification scheme where huge sums of money have been spent. The NPP is to blame and they need to be held accountable to the people of Garo Hills,” demands Mukul Sangma as he speaks at one rally after another in the plain belt, beginning from Tikrikilla and winding down all the way to Phulbari, Raksamgre and Rajabala.
The regional UDP which is a part of the MDA government in the state is also sensing a kill and has gone all out with UDP President Metbah Lyngdoh leading a last onslaught for its candidate Pilne A Sangma in Tura by holding a rally at New Tura playground.
“There is a strong wind of change blowing in favour of the regional party and we want to give our commitment to the people’s cause,” said Lyngdoh.
However, the NPP is not buying the story as its chief minister reiterates the importance of combined effort for progress.
“It is immensely important for team work which
ura and now long to have our own party MDC too. A united effort will pay rich dividends in development of Tura and Garo Hills,” believes chief minister Conrad Sangma.
The BJP is not at all amused by the tall talks and claims of the NPP and the Congress when it comes to the issue of corruption and development.
“Those who speak in favor of the Conrad Sangma government are those who support corruption. He (Conrad) fears the BJP will win maximum number of seats in the upcoming GHADC election and wants to oust the state president because they want to put up their own candidates in a BJP ticket,” claims BJP state vice president, Bernard Marak, who also happens to be the Tura candidate.
He goes on to say that the calls for a boycott of the polls by some opposing groups and bodies are being backed by parties opposed to the BJP as they want a low voter turnout which will impact the prospects of the saffron party.
“We have called upon everyone to come out fearlessly and exercise their democratic franchise. It will serve as an answer to those who question a corrupt free society,” says Bernard Marak.