AMPATI, Nov 4: Former chief minister and Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma appeared confident of an extremely good show in the upcoming Assembly elections, asserting that people of the state were frustrated with the current dispensation and wanted them back.
“Wherever I go in the state, be it in Khasi, Jaintia or Garo Hills, people lament that those in power have forgotten to govern. They lament that we are not governing and want us back at the helm of affairs. This love by the people of the state is what gives me confidence that we will not only win but will come back strongly to provide overall development in the state,” said Mukul, while addressing a pre-election rally Ambari village under Rangsakona constituency in South West Garo Hills on Thursday.
The meeting in Ambari saw the presence of a crowd of over 7,000 supporters of the Meghalaya Trinamool Congress (TMC) who came from all districts of Garo Hills to show support for the former chief minister and his party leaders.
The meeting also saw the presence of TMC MLAs, Zenith Sangma, Winnerson Sangma and Dikkanchi D Shira with MDCs Cherak Momin, Agassi Marak, Nehru Sangma, Sanjoy Koch, et al.
Questioning the alleged apathy by the government to develop the state, Mukul said, “Where is the development that they are talking about? Show me one road project that they have completed in the five years of their rule. In fact, most of the projects that they are canvassing as their own have been provided during our time.”
The Leader of Opposition added that projects in most places in Garo Hills, which would have changed the lives of people, were de-sanctioned by the current dispensation.
“There was a bridge across the Simsang in Williamnagar that was de-sanctioned by the present government. This would have changed the lives of the people who have been crying for connectivity. Further, Integrated Basin Development and Livelihood Promotion (IBDLP) has been made defunct while Model Residential Schools are laying waste. Is that not the money of the people of the state? These are low-hanging fruits that the present government could have plucked them but decided not to. The results are there for everyone to see,” he asserted.
Mukul said that there was a sense of frustration in Meghalaya due to the lack of governmental commitment to alleviate the problems in the state.
Another point that was raised by the TMC leader was the alleged use of government platforms by the NPP to further their party. “It’s unethical and unprecedented. The NPP has been using government programmes to further their party. How can such programmes be hijacked for the promotion of a political party?,” he said.
Earlier, Zenith questioned the government over the unemployment situation in the
state, which he said was the cause behind the recent unrest.
“Every year, there are at least 500 vacancies in the Police department and another 400 in the Education department. Since 2018, none of these vacancies have been filled. What has stopped the government from filling up these vacancies and where is the money for these posts being used?,” asked Zenith.
He added that during the tenure of their government, all regions were given equal priority when it came to development. He alleged that current dispensation has been abstaining from doing the same.
It may be mentioned that during the meeting, hundreds of workers from various parties, including the NPP, UDP and BJP, joined the TMC.
