National People’s Party (NPP) president and Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today called TMC leader and former Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma “dictator” who has “killed” innocent civilians.
“He (Mukul) may have joined TMC but he is the same person, who has killed innocent civilians. Garo Hills will never forget the September 30 incident, where nine lives were lost,” said while addressing a massive crowd at Dadenggre, where he campaigned for his elder brother and party candidate James P.K. Sangma.
Conrad accused Mukul of using force and not initiating dialogue to resolve issues and conflict during his tenure. Stating that unlike him the NPP believes in carrying forward the views of the people, he added, “We will never do anything that is against the aspiration of the people. NPP as a party always stands to protect and safeguard the interest of our people.”
He said in the last five years there were many challenges before the government, there were situation when civil bodies had to protest against the government but the government never used force but always initiated dialogue with the agitating groups.
“Mukul Sangma left Congress, as he thought there was no future in Congress party but he failed to calculate that people of Garo Hills will never accept a party that is from outside when they have the option to choose a party from its own State,” he added.
Conrad said other political parties including the TMC should join NPP and pledge their support.
“It is no point in supporting TMC or any other parties. NPP is set to form the government. Let us not waste our vote and come out to vote and pledge support for NPP,” he said.
Terming his brother James a committed leader, who has not only worked for his constituency but entire State, Conrad thanked the people of Dadenggre constituency for reposing their faith in him.
He also informed the gathering on the ongoing construction of Rongram – Dadenngre and Phulbari road, which remained neglected for ages, but James has initiated the construction of the new road at a sanction cost of over Rs. 80 crore.
He also told the gathering that if voted to power, the popular demand for creation of a new district with Dadenggre as headquarters will be the priority of the government.
James thanked the people of Dadenggre for turning up in large numbers to welcome NPP national president. He also thanked Conrad for his concerns for the constituency by ensuring several development interventions in the area.
Conrad and James mother, Soradini K Sangma also spoke and urged the people of Dadenggre to vote for her son. She told the gathering that people of Garo Hills have done so much for their family that her late husband PA Sangma has given the task to his children to work for the people of Garo Hills.
At Williamnagar, Conrad said that sitting legislator Marcuise Marak has ensured a turnaround of Williamnagar town by initiating and engaging with the government for various development works.
He said that there are several ongoing construction and improvement of road projects in the town, construction of new college building, Williamnagar Water Supply project to name a few.
“Previous government did not give any support to Williamnagar College but the NPP-led government sanctioned Rs. 12 crore to ensure completion of the new college building,” he said.
He further stated that NPP, despite several challenges during its tenure, kept people’s concerns as priority to ensure development and growth.
“We were ridiculed by our opposition but we have remained steadfast and focused on our works. We were not distracted from noise created by opposition but kept people’s welfare first and work to achieve it,” he said.
He further castigated the previous government on the use of guns and force to scare people. “Civil bodies and groups continue to protest to show their anger against the then government, but we have not resorted to using force to oppose them. We believe in engaging dialogue with protesting organisation rather than using guns and force,” he reiterated.
Later, he also addressed a rally at Phulbari for party candidate and former power minister A T Mondal.
