SHILLONG, June 27: Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Charles Pyngrope on Thursday said he has no objection if development projects in his Nongthymmai constituency are facilitated by aspiring candidates of the ruling party or government officials, as long as people benefit.
However, he maintained that elected representatives should remain the primary point of contact for the public and that development proposals should ordinarily be routed through the sitting MLA.
Speaking to reporters, Pyngrope said people should approach their elected MLA, whether from the ruling party or the opposition, whenever they face problems in their constituency.
“At the end of the day, let the people judge. Anyone can take the credit, but as an elected MLA, it is my responsibility to raise issues relating to roads, drinking water, healthcare and other public needs,” he said.
Asked whether the National People’s Party-led MDA government is giving greater importance to its aspiring candidates in constituencies represented by opposition legislators, Pyngrope said he has not personally experienced such a situation.
He, however, said that such a practice would not be desirable, adding that the party heading the government should avoid sidelining elected representatives.
According to him, while political parties are free to support and promote their prospective candidates before elections, development works meant for the people should continue to be processed through the elected MLA.
He said Dorbar Shnongs and Rangbah Shnongs seeking development projects should submit their proposals through the elected representative, warning that bypassing the MLA would not set a healthy democratic precedent.
Pyngrope stressed that his primary concern is the welfare of the people rather than who receives political credit for development works.
“As long as my people benefit, I do not mind whether the assistance comes through an aspiring candidate or a government official,” he said.
He added that whenever people demand better roads, drinking water or other basic facilities, the government should respond positively, stressing that his concern has always been the welfare of people in his constituency, not personal political gain.
Pyngrope pointed out that several government schemes, including the Special Rural Works Programme and the Chief Minister’s Special Development Fund, already exist to address developmental needs in constituencies.
He said public infrastructure, such as roads, should not be viewed as the property of any individual constituency or political representative but as assets meant for all citizens. He argued that essential services such as drinking water and healthcare cannot be distributed on political considerations.
“The government cannot deny basic amenities to people simply because they did not support the ruling party. Roads, drinking water and healthcare are fundamental services that every citizen is entitled to receive,” he said.
Acknowledging that limited financial resources may affect the pace of development, Pyngrope said the government has a responsibility to distribute available resources fairly and ensure that no section of society is deprived of basic amenities.
