TURA, Aug 9: Taking a potshot at the alleged absence of Cabinet minister and NPP MLA James PK Sangma from Dadenggre, aspiring Trinamool Congress candidate Rupa Marak on Tuesday exuded confidence that he would emerge victorious in the 2023 Assembly elections which are due in six months.
Marak’s confidence stems from the fact that he had provided a tough challenge to James in the 2018 elections, ultimately losing by a little over 1,000 votes.
“The people are watching and his absence from the constituency is also being noted. He has just recently begun to come to the constituency since the past week. I don’t want to criticise but it’s for the people to answer,” Marak said.
The TMC leader added that he was certain of a good show in the upcoming elections due to the confidence that the people have on him. He highlighted the problems of the constituency and said the current situation in Dadenggre was far from ideal.
“The roads are in a mess and have not been repaired for ages. The education sector needs an immediate uplift. The entire constituency has only one higher secondary school. Every year only 60-70 students are absorbed. The rest have no option other than to give up,” he said.
Marak added that at least 200-300 students, most of whom were too poor to afford education in private institutions or in other towns and cities, were being deprived of education every year due to the neglect shown towards Dadenggre by the MDA government.
Another issue raised by the TMC leader was the lack of road infrastructure which he said needed to be addressed on an immediate basis.
“The people of our area have to face huge hardship in travelling mainly due to the poor road condition. These roads have not been repaired since ages and the ongoing road project between Rongram and Phulbari is far from complete. Overall the situation is hard for all of us in Dadenggre,” Marak added.
He further questioned the allocation of over Rs 70 crore to the firm that has been awarded the contract to construct the Rongram–Phulbari Road despite less than 50% of the road being completed.
“As per an RTI, more than Rs 70 crore has been released. This is questionable as hardly 50% of the work has been completed. Why has the company been given such largesse unless there is something behind the move?” he questioned.
Marak also raised the issue of frequent power cuts that the area has been witnessing on a daily basis. He claimed at least 12-20 power cuts each day were a regular affair and questioned as to why the people were being made to suffer this way.
