Political campaigning started to wind down today in Meghalaya after a hard-fought, noisy and at times bitter battle between parties and their candidates for the February 27 general election.
Campaigning has to end by 4pm on Saturday but some of the bigger political figures already held their last rallies today.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hopeful for North Shillong, Mariahom Kharkrang, the incumbent MLA for East Shillong, Ampareen Lyngdoh of the National People’s Party (NPP) and her party colleague and incumbent in West Shillong Mohendro Rapsang were among those who addressed the public for the last time prior to the polls.
Speaking at a rally in Jail Road, Kharkrang slammed the Congress for, he said, institutionalising corruption in the country. He also stated that he stands for all communities, irrespective of caste or creed. North Shillong is a mixed constituency, with Jail Road largely home to non-Khasis. While the BJP could well find its greatest levels of support in neighbourhoods such as these, Kharkrang also has to win sizeable numbers of votes in the Khasi-dominated localities too.
In his corner today was the BJP national secretary Rituraj Sinha, who also told the gathering that Meghalaya’s next CM will be from the BJP.
Rapsang promised to bring more development in West Shillong, while adding that he tried his best to serve the people over the past five years. Lyngdoh, who has won three consecutive terms, held a meeting at Laitumkhrah Police Point and expressed confidence that the people will once again repose their faith in her.
