Gambegre by-election
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 6: With the NPP gainsaying the allegations of exploiting the state machinery for its own electoral benefits in Gambegre assembly constituency, the by-election for which is around the corner, the BJP has now backed its political rival, Congress, and further alleged that its ally in the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance, NPP, was providing benefits to those who pledged their support to the party and excluding those families who do not.
“I am not supporting the Congress, but I agree with their allegations that the NPP is using state machinery to their advantage. They are distributing CGI sheets and other resources to families, but only on the condition that they sign papers promising to vote for NPP,” state BJP vice president Bernard N Marak said.
He then went on to further allege that the NPP was not only distributing CGI sheets but also benefits under various government schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) housing scheme, piglets, and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) wages.
Furthermore, Marak claimed that key positions in block committees are filled by NPP supporters, ensuring that non-affiliated families are excluded from these benefits.
Marak said he remains unconvinced despite the NPP clarifying that these are regular developmental schemes distributed across constituencies, including Gambegre.
“In what sense is it development when they take ID cards and signatures in exchange for votes for the NPP?” the state BJP vice president said.
Marak then accused the NPP of renaming central schemes like PMAY, MGNREGA, and Swachh Bharat for political gain.
Maintaining that these benefits should be provided to all families, not just those aligned with the NPP, Marak called the situation in Garo Hills “unfair”.
It is pertinent to note that the NPP on Thursday countered the allegations of misusing the state machinery for the Gambegre bypoll, claiming that the development works taken up by the government in the constituency have been wrongly portrayed.
“Ensuring buildings, roads, and schools is not for election. We are doing our normal duty. The same people who complain about the lack of schools in the area accuse us of using the state machinery when the government undertakes construction projects. We are undertaking projects in every nook and corner of the state, not only in Gambegre. The CM has agreed to provide funds for National Highway 62 too,” NPP leader Rakkam Sangma had said on Thursday.
The Gambegre constituency is lying vacant after sitting MLA Saleng Sangma won the Lok Sabha election and subsequently resigned as MLA of the constituency.
Though the by-election has to be held within a period of six months from the date of the occurrence of the vacancy, the NPP has already fielded Methab Chandee, wife of Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, for the bypoll.