By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, April 18: NCP national youth president Dheeraj Sharma on Saturday outlined an aggressive push to expand the party’s youth base in Meghalaya, even as he flagged unemployment and drug abuse as key concerns confronting the state.
Addressing the NCP Youth State Convention, Sharma said the party is not new to Meghalaya, and continues to maintain a recognised cadre and organisational presence.
He said the convention is part of a broader effort to strengthen the NCP at the grassroots, alongside a membership drive aimed at bringing more young people into party fold.
He further stated that the NCP has consistently prioritised youth leadership, maintaining that several prominent leaders from Meghalaya had emerged through the party’s youth wing.
Sharma added that the party would take up with its central leadership the issue of fielding more youth in upcoming local, Assembly and Lok Sabha elections, in line with national-level organisational decisions.
He said unemployment remains the biggest challenge in Meghalaya, forcing many to leave the state in search of livelihoods. He noted that this trend created growing dissatisfaction among the younger population.
He cited the rising problem of drug abuse among the youth, linking it to the lack of opportunities and direction. According to him, the situation requires focused attention to ensure that young people are guided towards constructive engagement.
Sharma further flagged gaps in basic infrastructure, stating that deficiencies in healthcare and education continue to persist. He said the absence of adequate hospitals, schools and colleges has compelled people to seek services outside the state and there is a strong demand for these facilities to be developed in the state.
Stating that expectations from the present government had been high, he said the situation on the ground remains largely unchanged, leading to a growing call for an alternative.
He maintained that the NCP would engage with the people and present its vision, expressing confidence that the youth and the wider electorate would support the party in its efforts to regain political ground in the state.
