The people of Meghalaya must seize the chance that the upcoming February 27 Assembly election provides and unseat Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and his National People’s Party, leader of the opposition, Dr Mukul Sangma, said today.
Dr Sangma, a former Chief Minister and now Trinamool Congress leader, was on the road campaigning as usual today, this time in West Khasi Hills and South Garo Hills.
At Rambrai Jyrngam in West Khasi Hills, the people got to see the emotional side of Dr Sangma while he was emphasising the need for unity to further strengthen democracy.
“There will be someone who will be sitting on the throne with power, which is why we have to band together and be united to defeat the one sitting on the throne,” he said. “It is important to note that, in a democracy, if people are unaware of their rights and powers, they will end up choosing the wrong leader. We have to know the importance of democracy and also the strength of unity.”
In Baghmara, South Garo Hills, Dr Sangma launched a scathing attack on the NPP-led government for the politicking that led to the Congress (which Dr Sangma led before he quit in favour of the TMC), which had won the most seats, being out of power.
“After the results of the 2018 elections were declared, ministers from Delhi along with the Chief Minister of Assam flew down to Shillong for the formation of the government. This proves that it was the BJP who put the Conrad Sangma government into power. The same corrupt government that has done nothing for the people of our state. Even though we had public support even in terms of votes, it was BJP-NPP who formed the government,” Dr Sangma said.
Yesterday, the Chief Minister had promised to create 5 lakh jobs if his party wins the election. Employment was also a topic of Dr Sangma today, though he focused on a lack of jobs.
“Unemployment in the state is abysmal,” he said. “The youth of Meghalaya who are engineers and first class MSC passed students are also applying for the post of contractual teachers. We have seen how Conrad’s government has become deaf, dumb and blind, having no answers for the youth of Meghalaya. Around 1,000 people are applying for the post of four-five contractual teachers’ posts. This is an extremely sorry state of affairs!”
