SHILLONG: With elections round the corner, many politicians took some time out from their hectic schedules to be part of the Nongkrem dance festival on Monday.
Congress rebels Prestone Tynsong and Rowell Lyngdoh were seen visiting the venue together while Congress ticket aspirant from Nongkrem, John Kharshiing and National People’s Party candidate from the constituency, HS Shylla was also present.
Speaking to reporters, Tynsong pointed out that after having witnessed the performance of the Congress from 2003 till date, people desire a change in governance in 2018.
“I can see that people opted for NPP and the change will happen in 2018,” he said.
Asked when he and Rowell will join NPP, he smiled and said, “Very soon.”
Commenting on the allegations that development in the state is imbalanced, Tynsong categorically asserted that chief minister Mukul Sangma is the chief minister of Ampati.
“Why did he decide to construct the International Stadium in Ampati? It is not possible for people to go to Ampati and make use of the project,” he said.
Tynsong further referred to the incubation centre in Ampati saying that a few companies wanted to run the centre but gave up stating that it was not feasible there. He stated that there has been a generous provision of funds for development from the Centre to the Northeastern states during the tenure of UPA and NDA government.
“When it comes to the state under the leadership of Sangma, imbalance has happened. There are some districts which do not have a single project crossing Rs 20 crore or Rs 30 crore but it happens only in the so-called South West Garo Hills district,” Tynsong said.
He reiterated that he has nothing against the Congress and but has a problem with Sangma’s leadership. Blaming Sangma’s leadership on Congress’ waning influence in the state, he said, “Why have people untimely declared their retirement? And why so many sitting MLAs have decided to leave the party? I have seen that he (Sangma) is trying to destroy the whole Congress party in the state.”
Tynsong categorically stated that the Congress “is totally gone” because of the quality of leadership in the party. Referring to Sangma’s Kolkata remark against Tynsong, he said that an RTI has to be filed against Sangma for his frequents visits abroad.
In this context, he claimed that legislators, party functionaries from Garo Hills, Khasi and Jaintia Hills approach him when Sangma is not in sight, which proves that he is irregular in attendance.
“He is always outside the country and he does not have the courtesy to inform us, being his colleagues in the Council of Ministers. He has to at least inform us,” he said.
Tynsong further said that even Deputy Chief Minister, RC Laloo and former Deputy Chief Minister, Rowell Lyngdoh were not informed about his visits.
Commenting on the speculation that Sangma will contest in two seats, Ampati and Songsak, Tynsong said a representative cannot serve both constituencies unlike in the days of late Hoping Stone Lyngdoh when representatives could contest in two to three constituencies.
“I don’t prefer that we contest from two constituencies,” he added.
Also present at the festival was BJP state president Shibun Lyngdoh along with other members.
Speaking to reporters, Lyngdoh was of the view that central BJP leaders should visit the state regularly to place grievances before them about the under-development of the state. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi said there is no balanced development in the country as the western part of the country is more developed than the eastern part, which also includes West Bengal, Odisha and North East,” he said.
The BJP leader further said that development infrastructure in the state could be assured with the arrival of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
On the other hand, Lyngdoh said the party was still at a nascent stage in the state which has the agenda of development only and will select the best chief ministerial candidate after the 2018 Assembly elections.
“After the 2018 elections, we will select from amongst the best and project the person as the chief minister,” he said.
Commenting on the alleged tampering of EVMs in other parts of the country where people voted for another party but the votes went to BJP, Lyngdoh slammed that it was just a lame excuse on the part of other parties.
He asserted that it was the handiwork of other political parties who are putting the blame on BJP for alleged tampering of EVMs. “Election Commission of India has stated that EVMs are very okay,” he added.
“When Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) got power in Delhi or when Congress grabbed power in Punjab, they said that EVMs were functioning well,” he said, adding that when BJP came to power in Manipur, there was allegation of tampering of EVMs.
