SHILLONG, Feb 19: A month ago, this would have been a mere figment of imagination. Not any more.
The frenemies of MDA coalition have realised that there is no permanent friendship in politics.
After MDA partners unleashed a volley of brutal attacks on NPP, a shell shocked Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Sunday decided to launch a counter attack virtually accusing the partners of betrayal.
He lashed out at coalition partners who despite working with the government for five years, have now made a u-turn ahead of the elections and are using every available opportunity to criticise the NPP.
Addressing a rally here on Sunday at Mawbah to seek support for party candidate Mohendro Rapsang, the chief minister mocked the coalition partners for “changing their speech and stage”.
Urging voters to be cautious of such untrustworthy political parties, Sangma warned that they would take the votes and make a u-turn on their promises.
“When they can do it with us, they can do it to you,” he cautioned the gathering.
The statement came from the CM as different political parties like NPP and UDP which were part and parcel of the MDA led by NPP went on a bashing spree against NPP over issues of corruption, misuse of schemes especially FOCUS and even on the Assam-Meghalaya border dispute.
Admitting that it was not an easy thing to run a coalition government in Meghalaya, he said that despite all the challenges and problems, the NPP was able to keep the flock together for full five years.
He claimed it was a success story for the MDA considering that Meghalaya has had a history of coalition governments splitting within a few months or years.
“This was possible because in every thought and decision we kept people and the state’s interest in mind and we got people’s love, God’s blessing and coalition’s support,” he said.
Pointing out that the state can move forward only when all communities come together, the Chief Minister made a veiled attack on BJP bigwigs saying that these political parties and leaders who are making thunderous election speeches here, will not be seen after March 2 and only Conrad Sangma and Mohendro Rapsang would be seen here.
Obliquely referring to BJP, he observed that some political parties want to destroy the social fabric of the state adding that the state cannot be taken forward if the society is fragmented.
He reminded people that if they press the wrong button, the future generations would face the consequences.
Rapsang while seeking the cooperation of people said he had tried his best to complete all development activities during his tenure even as he admitted that all works could not be completed due to pandemic and lockdown.
NPP West Shillong Block general secretary, Mike Pakyntein launched a scathing personal attack on UDP candidate Paul Lyngdoh.
