Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has stated that the Government of India has hailed Meghalaya for accomplishment of targets in implementation of different schemes.
The statement was made at an election rally in Mendipathar at a time when the MDA government under his leadership draws flak from various quarters, including BJP leaders especially Union Home Minister Amit Shah who had stated in an election campaign in the Garo Hills that central schemes vanish when they reach Meghalaya.
He said that the NPP-led government has managed to change the perception of Garo Hills among the people, both in the State and outside of it, especially at the Centre, and brought development to the region.
“In last 5 years, we have seen visible change and development. Garo Hills had the reputation of being a disturbed region but today the situation has changed and has improved for better. People are able to business and trade without any hindrance,” he said.
He said the NPP-led government has built more roads in three years then past 30 years. Close to 200 km roads under PMGSY was constructed in last three years and 3.5 lakh people in rural Meghalaya were connected through piped water connection, he said.
Stressing that NPP as a government keeps people’s concerns first and works with a humane approach, he said, “As a Government, we always initiate a dialogue to resolve concerns of the people and do not use force to resolve a problem.”
Sangma also stated that the Government of India had plans to introduce different laws that would have affected the rights of the tribal people in the schedule tribe areas, but NPP initiated dialogue to stop such laws from being implemented in the State.
The NPP president said that the NPP has gotten stronger in the last five years whereas all its rivals have only gotten weaker, which shows the faith of the people on the party. He exuded confidence that the party will secure a landslide victory in the upcoming polls, enabling the party to form a single-party government, making it only the second instance in the history of Meghalaya to happen; the 1st instance was in 1972 when APHLC won 32 seats.
He said Congress had inroads in the region but it has become redundant after their leaders shifted to the Trinamool Congress (TMC). “Today Congress and TMC are campaigning to popularise their parties, but going by their campaign trail, they have miserably failed,” he said.
Reiterating that NPP will form the Government, he said that in 2023 the NPP is confident of forming a single majority government.
“Our assessment from across the State is clear as people are coming out in large numbers to pledge their support to NPP. People of Garo Hills have been able to live in peace for the last five years. There has been no law and order situation. There was no instance of kidnapping and extortion in the region compared to previous years. People have led a peaceful life. Now, we have to consider which party can continue to ensure peace in the State and consider to vote for NPP,” he said.
