With staff of the GHADC struggling to get their salaries cleared for years now, there can be no political party more ‘baaki’ than the National People’s Party (NPP), which runs the council, Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Dr Mukul Sangma said today.
The NPP had attacked the TMC over the latter’s post-election promises for direct benefit transfers of cash to women and youth.
However, Dr Sangma hit right back today while campaigning in Tikrikilla.
“It’s been many years since our own MDCs’ salaries are pending. Ask the MDCs whether they are a baaki government or not? It’s been three years since the employees of the district council haven’t received their salaries and they are asking for their money. That is why one can see who is a baaki government,” Dr Sangma said.
He also criticised the NPP-led government over education, saying that new teachers are not appointed even after their seniors retire, leading to the shutting down and abandonment of schools.
Dr Sangma, who is the MLA for Songsak, has decided not just to contest this seat but also Tikrikilla.
As part of his attacks, he railed against the government for not increasing a Rs 500 pension for the elderly and widows when he was Chief Minister.
“Is it the work of the government? This NPP-led government has defrauded the people of Garo Hills and the whole of Meghalaya. If the government doesn’t know their own responsibilities, will we allow them to form a government again?” he questioned.
