From Saurav Borah
RAJABALA: The Nekikona Tilapara Field here, a massive space, was chock-a-block by noon, even as it was rendered soft, soggy and muddy by overnight rain.
In fact, the otherwise sleepy open space was buzzing since morning, as a ‘sea of people’ gathered to attend a public meeting in Rajabala legislative Assembly constituency in West Garo Hills, addressed by All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) chairperson Mamata Banerjee, who landed by a chopper, well before the scheduled time of 1pm.
Carrying flags and festoons to join the massive congregation, thousands of supporters chanted the campaign song – Ahowee Inchrona TMC – in unison displaying confidence in the party.
Several thousands were still coming to the venue as the TMC chief, who had come here to campaign for party candidate Mizanur Rahman Kazi, delivered her address.
There were unusual traffic snarls on the road connecting Rajabala with Phulbari.
Rajabala Assembly constituency has a total of 35034 voters.
Mamata also garnered support for the TMC candidates of the other seats close by, including Selsella, Phulbari and Tikrikilla.
Addressing the gathering, Mamata said, “Delhi-based BJP and Congress can never be your friends. They were in power for so many years but could not even build roads in Meghalaya. Trinamool Congress is the party that works for the people…Change this government which has been in power for the past five years. Nothing was done. No medical colleges, no good roads, and no system for healthcare facilities were developed”
She also slammed the Congress party for failing to fulfill their duties as the Opposition leaders.
“Congress is asking for votes but where is their moral right? I was in Congress but they expelled us from the party. We are fighting the battle against BJP and every day BJP is knocking at our doors with ED-CBI.”
Urging the people of Meghalaya to choose leaders from the soil, the AITC chairperson said, “Outsiders want to rule here while oppressing you with NRC, CAA, bullets, and scandals.”
“Do not tolerate this. Meghalaya will be run by Meghalaya and not Guwahati or Delhi. We too won’t run it from Bengal. We are your friends and will only help you with whatever you need,” she said.
Once the short meeting was over well before scheduled time, Moi Hussain, an unemployed youth who feeds a family of six members by working as a daily wage earner, was leaning on the bamboo fence, as if to show that he wanted to hear more.
“I wish that a transformation, like Didi has pledged, will happen here too, for the future of jobless youths like me,” he said.
“Nothing has been done in the name of development by the legislators earlier. The poor have not been benefitted of the schemes. So I will now vote for a change of government,” Hussain, who came to the venue early morning, told this correspondent.
Kazi confident of good show
Speaking to mediapersons later, Rajabala candidate, Mizanur Rahman Kazi said, “In my calculation there were about 60,000 to 70,000 people who gathered here which shows that people support TMC and that we will win without a contest here.”
“This was supposed to be a triangular contest otherwise. But the huge gathering indicates that we will be triumphant without any challenge,” Kazi said.
On why he was confident of a win, he said that “People have been fed up with the corruption, unemployment and lack of development in these five years. People want a government which gives stability and development.”
Kazi further said he would focus on creating jobs, improving the health sector and road communication besides giving special attention to farmers in the constituency.