SHILLONG:
National People’s Party chief Conrad K Sangma, on February 9, launched a scathing attack on Opposition leader Mukul Sangma for leaving Congress to join Trinamool Congress (TMC), stating that the former chief minister’s ego so big that he chose to quit the grand old party because Vincent Pala elected party’s state president.
Addressing a gathering during an election rally in Songsak, Sangma said, “Congress party got divided. Congress was a strong opposition in the state. They used to strongly debate with us (NPP) in assembly. However, the fraction in Congress has weakened the opposition. It further got weakened with TMC also breaking away, with many from the party joining other political parties. There is practically no opposition in the state.”
Terming NPP as a platform for the tribals of Meghalaya and the rest of the country founded by the PA Sangma, the chief minister said, “We will form the government in Meghalaya with full majority.”
Confident that the NPP will come out with flying colours, Sangma said, “We don’t have to think much for the upcoming election. It is very clear that NPP is coming back with a thumping majority.”
Meanwhile, in Dagal, the chief minister said the NPP-led government has constructed a record number of roads across the state. “In the last five years, the government could do much more than what could not be achieved in 20-30 years,” he added.
He further said that keeping public interest as a priority, the NPP-led government has accorded utmost thrust to ensure holistic development in the state.
“Our MLAs were chief ministers in their own constituencies. We had decentralised the powers to our MLAs as we wanted that public representatives should be able to decide what is best for their constituents,” the NPP chief asserted.
He lamented that Songsak MLA Mukul Sangma failed to approach him and hence nothing much could be initiated in the constituency. “However, NPP candidate Nihim D Shira had continuously engaged with me and ensured that different development and welfare programmes were rolled out in Songsak area,” he said.
He castigated Mukul for “neglecting the people of his constituency merely because of his ego and political differences.”
He said that as MLAs irrespective of parties, they should engage and collaborate with the ruling party.
NPP candidate from Songsak Nihim D Shira is seeking a mandate from the electorate on the issue of local identity.
The chief minister campaigned at several locations under 41 – Songsak Constituency with Deputy Speaker Timothy D Shira to seek support for party candidate Nihim D Shira, who is pitted against Mukul Sangma.