SHILLONG:
Congress state president and party candidate from Sutnga-Saipung Vincent H Pala, on February 8, said that the fight in Jaintia Hills will be between the ‘high-level’ and the ‘normal-level’.
Speaking to media persons after his nomination papers were cleared, Pala said, “I am normal level; so if people want to a good government, vote for normal level and if they want to be extorted, vote for high level.”
The ‘high-level’ reference has been used repeatedly to describe the illegal mining and transportation of coal by some high-ranking officials.
Commenting on the coal mining issue, Pala said the ban on coal mining is done by the court and to say that the government was responsible to lift the ban is misleading.
“The government promised within 180 days to lift the ban but they have not made a single law or rule. So how will they lift the ban? These are false promises and the people should punish them in this election,” he added.
Stating that the National People’s Party (NPP) has lost the trust of the public, the state Congress president said that in the past five years, the government has looted from the state exchequer at the cost of the poor people.
“NPP or UDP, they are all the same. Look at them now, you see they have to buy the people to shout, support and campaign for them. Come March 2, the real result will be known – whether people want to be looted or governed,” he added.
Pala also upheld the party’s presence in the state and said that at the grassroots, people still love and trust Congress. “We are strong in all districts; so this election, we will be most favourable,” he said.