SHILLONG, Feb 5: The Congress, which is going all out to rise from the ashes, is reposing its hopes and faith on the people to overthrow the utterly corrupt and scam-tainted NPP-led MDA Government in the upcoming elections.
Senior Congress leader John A Lyngdoh on Sunday exuded confidence that people of the state are fed up with the alleged irregularities and corruption synonymous with the MDA Government for the past five years.
While speaking to The Shillong Times, Lyngdoh said he has had a long political career but had never seen any other government in Meghalaya embroiled in so many controversies and scams.
It would be a struggle for the new government to rectify all the blunders committed by the incumbent government, he said.
He recalled that that there never was any instance in the history of the state where the High Court had to intervene so many times and reprimand the government for the scams, particularly illegal mining and transportation of coal.
“It is due to the involvement of the people at the helms of affairs that hundreds of trucks carrying illegal coal are plying freely on the roads. The state exchequer is losing hundred of crores due to these illegalities,” the Congress leader said.
Lyngdoh also criticised the regional parties like the UDP and PDF, saying they cannot shy away from their complicity in the wrongdoings of the MDA Government.
“It was the responsibility of the Home Minister from the UDP to take action against the illegalities. But he failed to act. We are also witnessing deterioration of the law-and-order situation across the state in the past five years and against the UDP minister is to be blamed,” Lyngdoh said.
The Congress leader also recounted the failures of the MDA Government vis-à-vis the medical colleges and the lacklustre performance of the state in the education sector.
“Meghalaya use to be known as the educational hub. But now the scenario is very bad. It is sad to see teachers come out to the streets to demand their salaries. I am concerned about the future of the young students,” he said.
Lyngdoh advised people to avoid the lure of money from candidates and political parties during elections.
“If we don’t succumb to money then we are going to elect good leaders to lead the state. If we fall into the trap then we will get dealers instead of leaders who are going to sell off the state,” he added.
