TURA: The NPP and the Congress have gained more support for their candidates for Tura Lok Sabha seat.
While the Rabha community extended support to Agatha Sangma on Wednesday, former South Tura MLA John Leslee K Sangma said he would ensure Mukul Sangma’s victory.
The decision to support Agatha was taken in a meeting between the NPP leader and members of the Rabha community at her residence in Tura on March 29.
North Tura NPP MLA Thomas Marak and Raksamgre MLA Benedict Marak were also present.
All Rabha NGOs, including the Rabha Jatiya Seva Sangha, All Rabha Students Union, All Rabha Women’s Welfare Association and the Rabha Intellectual Forum will support the NPP candidate.
“We met Agatha to convey our unanimous support for her candidature,” said Khanin Rabha, the coordinator (in-charge) of the Rabha community in Meghalaya.
According to the leaders, Agatha has promised to look into the community’s development across the region.
“We submitted a list of demands after consultations with our community members, which included more opportunities, socio-economic and cultural development among others. She promised to look into all aspects of problems faced by us. It is based on this assurance that we have extended our unanimous support to her,” said the Rabha leaders.
The delegation was led by the presidents of various Rabha organisations.
On the other hand, John Leslee and over 3,000 supporters pledged support for Mukul.
“The reason for supporting Mukul M Sangma for MP is because I know what is elective representative and I can’t waste my vote on Nilmoni. That’s the name I gave Agatha Sangma because her performance in parliament – debate nil, private members’ bill nil, question nil. Hence, ‘Nil’moni,” he said.
The politician said the biggest issue this election “is to get a real representative” who will stand up for Meghalaya and Garo Hills.
“(There is a need) to open people’s eyes to remove ‘Nilmoni’ and pave way for development. We stand by the Congress to scrap the Citizenship Amendment Bill and bring forth legislation for protection of the indigenous people,” he added.
Mukul urged the supporters to co-operate and work together. “I have worked as much as possible to bring all-round development in the state… I believe in visible development and not ‘keep dreaming for 45 years which never materialises’,” he said.
