The who’s who of the state Congress descended on Rajabala today in a show of strength for the party’s candidate, Hasina Yasmin Mondal, in the upcoming by-election.
Today’s public meeting at Bhaitbari will also be remembered for the first time that the former Chief Minister, Dr Mukul Sangma, shared the dais with Shillong MP and the Meghalaya Congress president, Vincent Pala, indicating a thaw in the tussle that has piqued the interest of all within the state.
The election meeting, which began at about 3pm this afternoon, also saw the attendance of the former minister of Assam, Rekibul Hussain, who asserted that the downfall of the National People’s Party-Bharatiya Janata Party combine in the state will begin in Rajabala.
The Congress rally saw state leaders Zenith Sangma, former MLAs AT Mondal and Deborah Marak as well as Assam Congress MLA Aftabuddin Mollah in attendance.
“India is reeling under the pressure of price rise. Be it in the prices of edible oil, fuel for cars, gas cylinders, road taxes, toll taxes – only the poor and the middle class are suffering. The NPP-BJP combine in the state will see a downfall in the state and it will begin with us winning this seat in Rajabala,” asserted Rekibul.
Vincent Pala said he was upbeat about the chances of the Congress for the three by-polls in the state on October 30. This was also his first visit to campaign in Garo Hills after becoming MPCC president.
“I have visited all the constituencies, be it through rallies, door to door visits and I am sure we will win both the seats from Khasi Hills and this one in Garo Hills,” said Pala while addressing the gathering.
He accused the NPP of being the stooge of the BJP.
“They could not develop the agricultural sector despite more than 80 percent of the state’s residents being into cultivation. Imagine, there is no agricultural policy,” he said.
Last on stage was the former CM, Dr Sangma, who appealed to voters to come out in large numbers to support their candidate on polling day.
“You have come to bless the Congress candidate, Hasina, to win and have been waiting since 3pm to listen to us. I have come to seek your blessings and support for her as well. You have helped Dr Azad (Hasina’s late husband) to win in 2018 and I am hopeful you will do so this time for his wife as well,” said Mukul in his appeal.
