SHILLONG, March 14: Congress Legislature Party leader Ronnie V. Lyngdoh on Thursday said voting for an inclusive national party like Congress in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls would ensure that the voices of the people of Meghalaya are heard in New Delhi.
“We are one of the parties with the most parliamentarians and for a small stake like ours, it will be wise to vote for Congress which believes in secularism, inclusivity, taking everyone along, and not discriminating based on religion and culture,” he said.
Confident that the people will again repose faith in Congress, he said the party’s campaign has been going well. “The people are wise enough to know which party has focused more on improving education, health, and social security in the state,” he added.
Lyngdoh lamented the growing instances of religious intolerance in the country under the BJP-led NDA government.
“When you do not condemn the atrocities committed against religious minorities, it only emboldens the perpetrators. For India to emerge as a superpower, it should be seen as inclusive,” he said.
The Congress leader underlined the growing unemployment in the country and said the youth are frustrated because the current government has failed to exploit their energy and capability judiciously.
The IED blasts allegedly carried out by the outlawed HNLC could be the outcome of such frustration, he said.
“When you have nothing to lose, you tend to go to the extreme. Maybe, our youth do not see any future and are getting misguided,” Lyngdoh said.
Congress upbeat about Tura prospect
The Congress party is eyeing the Lok Sabha election as a golden opportunity to snatch the prestigious Tura seat from the NPP. The party is buoyed over the fact that leaders and supporters from various political parties have come forward to support the Congress in Tura.
On Thursday, former Chokpot MLA and TMC leader Lazarus Sangma joined the Congress along with his supporters. He was welcomed into the party by Congress candidate from Tura, Saleng Sangma and Congress working president, Deborah Marak.
Marak told The Shillong Times that parties like the Garo National Council and Trinamool Congress are coming together with Congress to get rid of the NPP in Tura.
Reacting to a query, Marak said the Congress will leave no stone unturned to ensure the victory of Saleng who enjoys mass support due to his honest talks and clear political stand.
She, however, made it clear that the outcome of the poll will solely depend on how the voters react on the day of the election.
