SHILLONG, Jan 20: The state Congress on Thursday said it was through the blessings of the Indian National Congress that Meghalaya was carved out of Assam and tall leaders of the
party helped build the state and spearheaded its development.
“Meghalaya came into existence in 1972 due to the blessings and cooperation of former Prime Minister (L) Indira Gandhi,” Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) leader, Ampareen Lyngdoh told reporters.
“The party has had many chief ministers who built the state to what you see today,” she added.
According to her, Meghalaya’s first chief minister, Capt. Williamson A Sangma was at the helm of affairs for the good number of years and many party stalwarts have served as chief minister including PA Sangma, DD Lapang, SC Marak, JD Rymbai and Mukul Sangma.
“We must not forget that the Congress has ruled the state for 36 years out of 50 and provided good governance to the people,” the Congress Legislature Party leader said.
Lyngdoh also stated that the Congress was instrumental in setting up prestigious institutions like the North Eastern Council, the North-Eastern Hill University and NEIGRIHMS, among others.
The Congress introduced several welfare schemes like the MHIS for the benefit of people of the state, she concluded.