The hallmark of rule by the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government is utter lawlessness and a general failure in administration, leader of the opposition Dr Mukul Sangma said today.
In a blistering attack, the Congress leader said that the citizens of Meghalaya are plagued by a feeling of insecurity and frustration in the functioning of the MDA, which is dominated by the National People’s Party (NPP) with support from smaller regional outfits.
“People are frustrated and angry about the lack of opportunities being created by the MDA government and even opportunities created have been snatched away by some people. There is a sense of insecurity among the people residing in the border areas because of the failure of the government,” Dr Sangma told reporters after a Congress Legislature Party meeting here.
Though the Congress has in the past moved No-Confidence Motions against the government, these have always been defeated as the ruling coalition held firm. However, today, Dr Sangma said that the public are crying out for the regional parties to effectively bring down the government in the Assembly and the Congress is ready to vote with them.
“If any members in the government table the No-Confidence Motion as per the people’s wishes, we will be there to support the NC,” the ex-Chief Minister said.
He also said that there is complete anarchy in the state, especially on the national highways, with the government unwilling to enforce the law of the land.
On the developmental front, Dr Sangma said that there are too many villages in rural areas that are still yet to be electrified and he wondered how much of the World Bank Rs 1,000 crore in funding the government has been able to spend within the stipulated time.
Despite funds being also provided by the central government, the state is still far behind in terms of other development standards.
“I am resident in the constituency of the Chief Minister Conrad Sangma in Tura and every day I will end up spending more than Rs 1,000 on water. Such instances are everywhere. Civic amenities are not taken care of in rural and urban areas despite various programmes sponsored by the GOI (government of India),” he said.
Road connectivity is another area where the government has failed, the Congress leader said. During his tenure, Dr Sangma said, numerous externally-aided projects were initiated “but when we look at those projects now they are either half-done or abandoned.”
He also said that farmers are suffering and cattle prices have skyrocketed and all the designs to help farmers have vanished.
“We will be taking up all these issues in the Assembly and see that the government wakes up from its ‘Chalta Hai attitude’ and responds to its call of duty,” Dr Sangma stated.
Meanwhile, with respect to the independent judicial inquiry into the death of the former leader of the HNLC on August 13, he said, “We would like to ensure that this particular demand is heard and when this popular demand is coming from the people the government should examine and do what it is necessary for conformity with the law of the land.”
