TURA, Feb 5: TMC candidate from South Tura, Richard M Marak on Sunday said the NPP has no other business but to target the TMC while it failed to bring in adequate development.
Making a scathing attack in a video interview, Marak said the NPP has nothing to demonstrate as accomplishments, adding the party is always busy finding faults with whatever the TMC is doing.
Marak also hit out at the NPP for trying to mislead the people by questioning the confidence of their leader Mukul Sangma and calling his ‘hard work’ mere gimmicks.
“I would like to remind NPP of their monumental failure to even meet the basic needs of the common men in Meghalaya. People lived in darkness over the past five years having been deprived of any development and growth,” Marak, who is taking on Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma in South Tura, said.
Marak lampooned the NPP calling it a ‘double engine government’ and alleged it has only brought misery to the people of Meghalaya. He blamed the government for problems faced by teachers in the state.
“We all have seen how our teachers hit the streets to protest against the government demanding reinstatement of their services. What did this government do for them? Used force against them and hurled tear gas cells. This is the real face of the NPP government that boasts of development,” he said.
Marak criticised the NPP-led government for “hollow promises and tall words”, adding hundreds of unemployed youths have raised their voices against the government over the lack of employment opportunities in Meghalaya.
“What has the self-proclaimed NPP government done for them? Isn’t it their democratic right to seek an explanation from the government?” Marak asked.
On the other hand, Marak said that the TMC is standing with the people during what he called ‘disastrous times’ under the dark rule of the NPP-led MDA government.
“The ten pledges that we have given to the people are people-centric and envisioned to bring prosperity to the state. The NPP is surely shaken looking at the massive crowd at TMC rallies. While our revolutionary WE card and MYE card are a true testimony of the confidence and support that is being showered by the people, the hollow words of the NPP have no place here,” Marak said.
Meanwhile, TMC candidate from North Tura, Rupert M Sangma exuded confidence over his party’s poll prospect. He said the TMC seats tally will cross over the halfway mark the party will form the government in the state.
“The people will reject the NPP-led government for its misdeeds. Its attempt to enforce gambling in a Christian state is one glaring example. This will have a significant impact as the people in both Khasi- Jaintia Hills and Garo Hills will reject the NPP,” said Rupert, who is expected to file his nomination on Monday.
Rupert said that the TMC is being joined by the youth in large numbers and he is confident of a positive outcome in the North Tura seat. He is contesting against BJP’s Adamkid Sangma, Congress’ Billykid Sangma and NPP’s Thomas Sangma. Earlier on Sunday afternoon, his campaign was bolstered by the joining of former MLA of Rongram and Ismail Marak along with his supporters.
Rupert, who is a former MDC of Tura, said his experience of working with the grassroots people would hold him in good stead. Rupert said he is confident about garnering over 50% of the votes in the constituency.
“The talk surrounding TMC being a West Bengal party is baseless. I must say TMC is a national party just like the BJP or Congress. We are getting positive vibes from all corners and I don’t think there will be a challenge for us,” said Rupert.
On the performance of the NPP-led MDA Government, he stated frustration is creeping up among youths over the lack of jobs.
“People face problems due to lack of employment, health and infrastructure-related issues. The situation has forced youths to end their lives. They are hell-bent on throwing the government out this time,” Rupert said.
