SHILLONG, Nov 20: Opposition Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Sunday accused the state government of making desperate attempts to purchase votes through last-minute implementation of government schemes. The party is hopeful that the high anti-incumbency factor against the MDA Government will dominate the next elections.
Referring to the massive gathering at the New Tura playground of Tura Law College during the TMC programme held on Friday, Opposition Chief Whip George B Lyngdoh, said, “The massive turn out in Tura considering the fact that we had less time to carry out the ground work just shows very high anti-incumbency factor that will dominate the next elections.”
“The people that we met on the ground had expressed their frustration over the way governance has crumbled and how schools and teachers have been denied support in the remote regions of the state,” he added.
He said according to the feedback received from the ground in Garo Hills, the people feel orphaned and that the government is only for the elite. The same response is being received from across Khasi and Jaintia hills, he added.
According to him, the desperate attempt to purchase votes through last minute intervention of government schemes will not help because people feel they have been ignored for more than four-and-half years.
“Six months before the elections they are trying to show empathy towards the needs and aspirations of the people,” he pointed out.
Citing the case of Dadenggre CHC that was promised an ambulance in 2018, following a fatal accident that injured many citizens of that area, Lyngdoh said, “The ambulance has finally come but it cannot access 15-20 villages due to lack of road connectivity.”
“If that happens in the Health minister’s (James PK Sangma) constituency then people will feel that it is just a symbolic gesture to pacify a few and not meant for the benefit of the neglected people in remote areas,” he added.