SHILLONG, Dec 12: West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee arrived in Shillong on a two-day visit on Monday.
This is her maiden visit to Meghalaya. The visit just two months ahead of Assembly elections is aimed at sending a clear message to political parties and voters of the state that the TMC means business in Meghalaya.
Accompanied by party general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, the Bengal CM arrived at the Shillong Airport at Umroi where she was welcomed by Party’s Meghalaya in-charge Manas Ranjan Bhunia, state president Charles Pyngrope, Opposition leader Mukul Sangma, party MLAs, leaders and workers.
Later, her convoy of at least 50 cars went to Hotel Pinewood where discussions were held on the party’s poll preparations.
TMC’s Chief Ministerial candidate Mukul Sangma told journalists Banerjee would address the party’s foot soldiers on Tuesday, giving momentum to the party’s poll preparations.
Stating that the meeting is aimed at connecting with the foot soldiers, Sangma said the candidates have been more or less finalised in some constituencies but the same will be announced in a timely matter.
The Opposition leader said the TMC will go it alone in the polls. He stressed on the need to remind people of the fallout of giving a fractured mandate and the ramification thereof.
TMC state president Charles Pyngrope said Banerjee would meet the families of the deceased and injured of Mukroh firing incident on Tuesday, followed by a party meeting later in the afternoon.
She would also attend a pre-Christmas celebration in the city with children from different orphanages, traditional heads from Khasi and Jaintia Hills, eminent members from the civil society and prominent citizens of the city.
Asserting that Banerjee is the face of the TMC and her visit to Shillong will help the party gain ground in the state, Pyngrope said the visit gives confidence to the party’s state leaders and workers and also to people to repose their faith in the party.
“The interest shown by the chairperson indicates that they mean business to serve the people of the state,” Pyngrope said.
Asked if the TMC is struggling to find candidates in the 60 seats, he said it is not about finding people but finding the right people.
“TMC has a certain ideology and we work on that. If people do not follow the ideology or adhere to it, we cannot just pick them up and set them up as candidates,” Pyngrope added.
Abhishek had visited Meghalaya last month and addressed a massive rally in Tura.
