SHILLONG, Nov 12: Launching a scathing attack on state MLAs and MPs, Rajya Sabha member and BJP leader Rakesh Sinha on Saturday said that the latter must visit the remotest areas and connect with people, and not just remain confined to the four walls of their offices.
Speaking during the inauguration of the welcome gate of Kongthong village, popularly known as the ‘Whistling Village’, Sinha said his moral responsibility was to empower the people.
“My moral responsibility is not only about the development of Kongthong but also to remove all the inaccuracies and empower the people. Let the local MPs and MLAs realise that they have to visit the remotest areas and meet the people; they are not here to just sit in the Parliament or their offices,” he asserted.
Maintaining that there is a lacuna when it comes to the connection between the elected representatives and the people, especially in the rural areas, Sinha said that the same needs to be immediately addressed.
According to Sinha, the commoners in Meghalaya continue to suffer despite modernisation and promises.
Stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always maintained that the representatives of the people should always serve the people first, Sinha said there is a gap between the behaviour of the elected representatives and their action, which should be removed.
Citing how plates are made out of betel leaf and sold at good prices outside Meghalaya while the earnings of villagers in the state have not improved over the decades, he said, “There is a lacuna and we will remove all the inaccuracy in the policies.”
Pointing out three challenges Meghalaya is faced with viz. decrease in rainfall, decrease in forest cover and rampant illegal mining, Sinha said there are select people in the state enriching themselves by exploiting nature and the people.
“Wealth earned through illegal means will ultimately become a curse for generations to come and all the illegalities must be stopped,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Sinha inaugurated the welcome gate of Kongthong village.
Dedicated to freedom fighter U Tirot Sing Syiem, the gate was built with the help of charity raised by the locals.
Terming it a ‘historic day’ for Kongthong village, Sinha said, “The gate is not a simple gate; it is a gate according to the prime minister’s vision and as part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations.”
Informing that the gate was constructed with the help of charity raised by the locals, he said, “People living in Meghalaya are inspiring.”
It is pertinent to note that apart from adopting Kongthong village in 2020, Sinha has also adopted Sder, Mawmang and Mawsohmad villages in East Khasi Hills.
Acknowledging the contributions of the freedom fighters of Meghalaya, he said, “When tourists from all over the world come here, they will find the gate constructed in memory of the greatest freedom fighter U Tirot Sing. He has been ignored in the books of history by the previous regime but we have decided that all unsung heroes, particularly tribal heroes, should find a place in the books of history.”
