SHILLONG, April 26: Upbeat about the Congress’ poll prospects in the Tura seat, party leader Deborah Marak has launched a scathing attack on the PA Sangma family, accusing it of doing nothing for Garo Hills in the last 47 years.
“People are looking for a change as there are multiple scams in Garo Hills,” Marak told reporters here on Friday.
Referring to the “scams”, she alleged the Jal Jeevan Mission has failed miserably in Garo Hills. She urged the Centre to send a central agency to conduct a probe into the scheme’s implementation in Garo Hills.
Marak also alleged that there is rampant smuggling of sugar and betel nuts from Meghalaya to Bangladesh and Myanmar to Garo Hills respectively. She said the farmers in Garo Hills are suffering huge losses due to the illegal betel nut trade.
“Just before the election, the Chief Minister (Conrad K Sangma) was stealing money from Meghalaya and sending it to other states. This is why, people wanted change. The Congress has done very well in Garo Hills,” Marak said.
Continuing with her attack, she said after voting for the Sangma family for a long time, people wanted change this time around as it did nothing for Garo Hills. They built only the PA Sangma Stadium but it was also not completed, she said.
Referring to the coal India plants in Nangalbibra set up several years ago, the Congress leader said the office is not functioning any more while the staff have been transferred.
She said the Baljek Airport has not been developed and that, it is now being used to organise festivals.
“The younger generation is educated. (Congress’ Tura candidate) Saleng Sangma will go to the parliament and speak on behalf of the people. You will see a change in Garo Hills. Just wait for the results,” Marak said.
On the NPP’s charge about the Congress misleading the church elders of Garo Hills during poll campaign, she asked if the NPP thinks the church leaders and the Christians are blind.
“They have seen what is happening in Manipur and the other states. We don’t have the power to misguide the church elders. They know the best where they should vote. They are much smarter than anyone else,” Marak said.
