Resubelpara, Jan 19: The All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) through the months leading up to the meeting held at the Dilma Apal playground in the Mendipathar constituency has been at the forefront of some of the biggest crowds to have come forward for election meetings. It raised the bar for itself during the recent meeting of AITC general secretary and LS MP, Abhisehk Banerjee, which saw more than 30000 people come to listen to the youth leader.
However, yesterday’s meeting at Dilma will possibly go down as one of the largest crowds to have gathered for a political meeting in the entire state.
One of the principal reasons for the lack of crowds can actually be pointed to the fact that the region hardly has huge fields where people can be brought together. This has generally led to small gatherings nearing just a few thousands even if someone special comes to pay a visit. Dilma, however, is a different story, with there being enough space to accommodate more than 30000 if arrangements are made right.
The organizers of the rally can give themselves a pat on the back for the fact that not only did they accommodate the 30,000 that were at the meeting. What is even more interesting is that at least another 20000 that did not get seating continued to stay beside the stage to listen to the AITC supremo, Mamata Banerjee, her nephew Abhishek, former CM Mukul Sangma and state AITC president, Charles Pyngrope speaking to them.
Mamata’s entry into the stage was another story altogether. After her chopper landed near the Mendipathar Bazaar area, she reached the stage along with coterie at about 1 PM via road. Upon seeing the Wangala dance welcome, she immediately approached one of the drummers and tried her hand at the ‘Dama’. After that she did her best to replicate the dancers before reaching the stage and greeting everyone she saw on stage.
‘Didi’ during her speech continued her tirade against what she called a ‘failed government’ and was in her elements drawing the crowds to chant to her tune.
“We are not someone who make promises that we can’t keep unlike others. I am in politics not to make money but because of my passion. I chose to serve the people and you can see how we have transformed Bengal with our vision,” she stated adding that she wanted to stay after elections in Garo Hills to learn the language.
Asking the crowd whether they wanted change, Mamata got the crowd on its feet seeking voices of unison in her appeal. The entire stage reverberated with the call.
Abhishek during his speech lambasted the NPP-led government calling for an overthrow of the double engine system where the accused the BJP of running a proxy government through the NPP and its allies. He also called for their ouster for the various allegations of corruption.
“Every sector in the state of Meghalaya is in absolute shambles. Education, health infrastructure, employment – anything you name and this because orders are being taken from the ivory towers of New Delhi or Guwahati. We will ensure that this situation changes and the state is ruled by ‘sons of the soil’,” he stated.
Mukul Sangma promised the crowd that every paisa that is meant for development of the state would be accounted for once they return to power while Charles lamented the fact that the state that is known as the ‘abode of clouds’ has now turned into a haven of corruption.
Interestingly the meeting was held in the constituency of the former AITC MLA, Marthon J Sangma, who has switched allegiance to the NPP. He is pitted against AITC’s Pardinand D Shira, UDP’s Subroto Marak, Congress’ Timjim Momin and the yet to be announced BJP candidate.