SHILLONG, Feb 11: In a confident claim, Opposition leader Mukul Sangma on Saturday said the TMC will securing a resounding victory in the upcoming elections and accused the ruling NPP of being so “rattled” by the TMC’s progress that they have been forced to pump in loads of money in an attempt to manipulate the voters.
“In Garo Hills, out of 24 seats, we are already ahead in 18 seats. They (NPP) are so afraid that they are spending money left, right, and centre. Similarly, in Khasi and Jaintia Hills, out of nervousness they are pouring in money. All this money has not come from heaven. This is people’s money which they are using now,” Mukul claimed, squarely blaming the Conrad Sangma-led party for making attempts to influence the voters.
Addressing an election rally in Mowkaiaw, West Jaintia Hills, Mukul asserted that TMC is the only weapon to fight against power, authority and those who want to take away the land, freedom, and faith of the people. “Our fight is against the power and authority, who wants to take away our land, our freedom, and our faith. TMC is the only weapon in our democracy that can fight against the incumbent authorities while NPP, BJP, UDP, and all other parties are partners in their agenda,” he said.
Calling the people of Meghalaya to come together in the fight against the powers that heckle the voices of dissent, Sangma said, “Let us form a government that will defend the rights of our people including defending our freedom of religion as we see the incidents across the country including Assam. Our fight is not against any specific candidate.”
Attacking the Conrad Sangma led-MDA government for squashing the aspirations of the youth of the state, the TMC leader said, “In the last five years, we have witnessed a government that has surrendered our rights to Assam. They have systematically decimated the people-centric initiatives of the earlier government.”
He continued: “They have betrayed the youth who have been looking forward to the available vacancies. Small-scale entrepreneurs and business owners lament that all businesses are grabbed by the people in power.”
He also accused the government of being insensitive toward the struggles and issues of the citizens.
“In the last five years, this government has not only neglected but has constantly given agonies to senior citizens, single mothers, farmers, etc,” he said.
Pointing out that the government did not increase the daily allowance of the employees as they were reluctant to provide money to the people, he said, “During my tenure, I revised the salary of the employees twice. I also made monetary provisions for the old, infirm, and single mothers.”
Lauding the efforts of TMC’s Mowkaiaw candidate, Lasting Suchiang, the Opposition leader said, “Our candidate is the son of the soil. When he expressed his desire to serve the people, I asked him the reason. He said that he wants to provide better education and improved access to healthcare. He wants to deliver sustainable development and livelihood to his brothers and sisters in the constituency.”
