SHILLONG, Feb 24: For NPP national president and Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, his father Purno Agitok Sangma’s principles and ideology are the driving force pushing him to go beyond as he steps into the arena of electoral battle once again leading the charge of his party as it looks to retain power.
“If I were going against his principles and my consciousness, then I would say it would have made me a little worried. But what drives me is what exactly he instilled in me – values and ideology – and I work towards that,” Sangma said when asked if he feels the pressure of not letting his father down as he is moving from one election rally to other.
“Of course, I am worried. But that is also a driving point for me. It pushes me to go beyond the limits,” he added.
He said he does not allow the pressure to affect his sense of purpose and that he is clear in his thought process and the way forward.
He said he faced many difficult situations when politics was not so stable. He said he had been to every nook and corner of the state with his father and he had seen 30-35 elections since he started campaigning as a 12-year-old.
“We will continue with all the experiences we have. We will try to ensure a humble and focused approach and not take things lightly,” he added.
Talking about his government and coalition politics, he said, “We had a lot of challenges and it was not easy working with six coalition partners.”
He said with stability and people and development-centric policies, the MDA government was able to complete the five-year term. “In the process, we saw development also coming,” he added.
He said his government picked up some long-standing issues such as the state’s boundary dispute with Assam and the inclusion of Khasi and Garo languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. He said the government laid the foundation and he hoped they could be taken forward.
“I do hope and I am positive that people will repose their faith once again in us. Peace was a very important aspect. Stability was also very important. We were able to deliver on those counts to a large extent and I hope people will give us a second chance. The numbers I am sure will be more than the last time,” he said confidently.
He said the NPP can never accept MLAs and MDCs who neglect the party and go against the wishes of its leadership. He made the statement at a rally at Borogobal, Raksamgre while campaigning for Limison D Sangma.
The CM said the opponents are playing up the B-Mahal issue but their statements are not true. He said the state government never sold the land of B-Mahal.
“We have no intention to expel the public. Instead, we will work together for the welfare of the residents of B-Mahal,” he said.
Stating that they tried to resolve the problems of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council with its members, he said, “At that time, ex-MLA Benedict Marak didn’t listen to us and the council members. He went ahead according to his wish and tried to seize some land of B-Mahal by adapting some rules. But when it came to my notice, I could not accept it.”
He said people reposed their faith in Marak to help him become MLA and MDC for five years and he called all his MDCs to make him CEM, but sometimes, he goes ahead according to his will.
Sangma highlighted the prevailing peaceful law and order situation in the region.
“Before we came to power, some people received extortion notes, but in the last five years, there are no such activities in Garo Hills and the state as well. The state is very peaceful,” he claimed.
