SHILLONG, Oct 20: The National People’s Party (NPP) has hit back at the opposition parties, asserting there is nothing wrong with utilising the state machinery to fulfil the people’s demands before the model of conduct comes into force.
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the other parties have accused the NPP of misusing the state machinery to influence the voters of Gambegre, where a by-election is scheduled on November 13.
“The opposition always makes allegations. We did it (development work) as the ruling party before the model code of conduct. If the people demand, we will definitely look into it,” Cabinet minister and NPP working president, Marcuise N Marak said.
“The JJM work was not done properly. So, it was my duty to direct the officials to check. What’s wrong with that?” he asked.
Marak slammed NPP’s coalition partner, BJP, for levelling unfounded allegations against the ruling party just to score political points ahead of the bypoll.
“These allegations hold no water. There is nothing on the ground like that. It is just another tactic of the BJP to impress the people,” he said.
Recalling that the BJP is coming up with one allegation after another as the date for the Gambegre bypoll inches closer, he said, “Even though they are in the government we don’t have any understanding like pre-poll alliance and that is why they are making allegations against us as they have nothing good to show to the people of Gambegre.”
In the most recent of allegations, BJP has accused NPP of blackmailing people affected by the recent deluge in parts of Garo Hills by asking them to join the party to avail the relief materials.
“The deprivation in the Garo Hills is due to politics. They want everyone to register as NPP members to get the basic schemes, which is unfair,” state BJP vice president and Tura MDC, Bernard N Marak had stated.
“The NPP workers are even telling the affected people to join their party first to get CGI sheets, which are coming from the Housing Department and the Centre,” he claimed.
Meanwhile, the NPP minister said the party is going all out to campaign for the Gambegre seat and the party’s candidate, Mehtab Chandee will file her nomination papers soon.
Marcuise Marak indicated the battle in Gambegre will be between the NPP and the TMC. “We are hopeful of a win because the NPP has more MLAs and its performance has been good,” he said.
He recalled how Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and other party leaders reached out to support the victims of the recent flash floods and landslides in the Garo Hills.
