SHILLONG/NEW DELHI/TURA, June 4: Newly-elected Shillong Lok Sabha member, Ricky AJ Syngkon has asserted that his vision along with the vision of his party — VPP — is to revive, restore and transform Meghalaya. “That is our vision and we will follow it,” he said after defeating Congress stalwart Vincent H Pala by a record margin of 3,71,910 votes.
Commenting on the reason behind his massive victory, Syngkon said people in the state are fed up with the kind of politics that has been played out for quite some time and were yearning for change.
“When we realized people were fed up of the kind of politics, a group of us got together and thought about starting a party and we received immense support from the public,” he said.
He also mentioned that the VPP has raised 24 points in its poll manifesto and although all issues were important, they party would first work on the priority sectors.
Saleng to make a checklist of priorities
Elated over his win, Saleng said Garo Hills was facing a lot of issues and he would sit with his supporters and party leaders to work out on a list of those issues that needed to be tackled at the onset. “This is a miraculous win for us. This win is beyond what we had calculated and this is due to the will of the people and God,” a jubilant Saleng said.
“Education and unemployment, among other things, need a serious look and we have to work out which of these has to be taken up first,” he said.
He added that his win was due to people’s desire for change.
Pala accepts defeat
Three-time Congress MP, Vincent H Pala conceded defeat in ) the Shillong Lok Sabha seat as the people’s verdict, but justified that the party’s tally in the hill state has not gone down since party leader Saleng A Sangma had won the Tura seat.
Pala said he would be landing in the national capital on Wednesday to attend a meeting of the AICC.
Pala, who is also the MPCC president, said that the Congress workers had worked hard all over the state, giving a tough fight to the ruling NPP despite lack of resources.
“We will build on our support base and prepare for the next big fight — the assembly polls which are due in four years,” he said.
Speaking about the huge margin of votes in favour of VPP candidate Ricky AJ Syngkon, the outgoing MP said that the newly-formed party had campaigned in a manner that stirred local sentiments, which the Congress, a pan India national party, cannot do.
He reiterated that his party will continue to work for the welfare of the people as always.
Agatha to continue working for people
Outgoing NPP MP from Tura, Agatha Sangma accepted her defeat to Saleng A Sangma of the Congress and assured that she will continue to work for the people of the Garo Hills in whichever way she can.
In a statement on Tuesday, Agatha said, “It has been an honour to serve the people of Garo hills as their MP and I am so grateful for the opportunity that was given to me. Even though I did not win this election I will continue to serve the people of Garo Hills and Meghalaya in every way that I can.”
She also thanked her party NPP and everyone for their support during this time. “I wish Mr Saleng all the best and I hope he will lead our people well,” said Agatha.
