SHILLONG: Congress candidate from Mawphlang, Kennedy Cornelius Khyriem filed his nomination on Friday at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, East Khasi Hill here.
Speaking to reporters outside after filing his nominations, he expressed his delight he completed the procedure to file the nominations on Friday and being the first from his constituency, he exuded confidence by pointing to the number of supporters who accompanied him to file his nominations.
He said, “I told them only as few will go as it is only the filing of nomination but the supporters were unwilling and they came voluntarily. I have no doubt and I am 100 per cent hopeful that I will retain the seat in 2018 from Mawphlang (constituency).”
According to him, the reason of his confidence is after he perceived the support of the people of his constituency to him by observing the “fruits of his labour” during his five years’ tenure and added that the people welcomed him where ever he goes.
Asked on his biggest achievement till date, Khyriem pointed to the road projects, education, heath etc.
“The biggest achievement is roads which has amount to more than Rs 35 crore, the Science and Commerce College whose infrastructure is about Rs 36 crore, two ADB which is more than Rs 5 crore, CHC etc. I also distribute the SRWP scheme in public,” he said.
However, he added that there are many pending projects which he has to complete pertaining to roads, water supply and electricity.
He informed that he has made proposals for PHC in Tyrsad and also made proposals for a mini-stadium and to address the issues of the farmers as most of the constituents are farmers.
Asked about his contenders, he said that his competition with all the three candidates, he said, “As of now, I can say two, they are HSPDP (PM Syiem) and SK Sunn.”
Commenting on Sunn who has constructed roads for the people of Mawphlang, he said, “If the road construction is from his own pocket can you imagine how much lakhs and crores of money we need for that? Who will just spend that amount of money to construct the road?”
He questioned whether the amount of money spent needs to recovered or not and said “Who will just throw his own money like that? That is impossible.”
Speaking of the bad road condition, Khyriem said that the Mawphlang-Balat (MB road) has been approved by the government to declare it as the new National Highway and the survey is ongoing.
The MB road will be from Weiloi-Mawkyrwat-Ranikor which is the new NH approved by the Central government.
