SHILLONG, Feb 27: Candidates from Mylliem seem confident of a win, but truth be told the seat will be taken by only one. Yet these ambitious men and women have their sets of plans ready to lead the constituency to a better future.
NPP’s Hamletson Dohling, who met reporters after casting his vote, told them that he is certain of a second term as Mylliem MLA.
Taking a swipe at his rivals, Dohling called out the regional parties for the mudslinging and pointed out that people are aware that these parties were part of the ruling MDA coalition for five years, at which they have been pointing fingers.
Speaking about his term as the local MLA, Dohling said that he has performed at his best to serve the constituency while claiming that the people are aware of his work.
“My priority will be to work for the overall development of the constituency. I will follow up all the pending issues whether it is ILP, inter-state boundary issue, relocation of the Harijan colony and inclusion of the Khasi language in the Eight Schedule of the Constitution,” he said, while adding that the NPP is hopeful of absolute majority.
Congress candidate Ronnie Lyngdoh meanwhile expects to be given the chance to represent the constituency a third time.
Lyngdoh has been Mylliem’s MLA for two terms (2008-2014).
If chosen as public’s representative this time around, the former legislator said he will ensure health and education for the people.
“We will upgrade the existing health centres since we do have a CHC at Mylliem. This will help not only the people of Mylliem but it will also help to ease the burden of urban health centers,” the Congress candidate said.
Attacking opponents, Lyngdoh flagged the delay in the four-lane road project from Umshyrpi to 7th Mile while alleging that the BJP has been fooling the people with the idea of a ‘double-engine government’.
“It is expected that there will be faster development if there is a BJP both at the Centre and State. My question is where the double engine was while this road project has remained pending. I can say that they are not really meant to ensure development for the people. If so, this road should have been completed,” Lyngdoh said.
Talking about one of the most relevant issues plaguing the constituency as well as the city is the vexed traffic snarl in Upper Shillong, the Congress candidate said the people have to spend hours when commuting on this route because of the intense traffic jam occurring almost daily.
“The people will give a resounding defeat to the MDA Government. They have betrayed the people,” he added.
On the other hand, UDP’s candidate Mitchell Wankhar said that he is confident of a win, while claiming that people want a change.
Looking down on the MDA Government’s term, Wankhar said that the UDP will improve its tally of six seats won in the last Assembly elections in the state.
