SHILLONG:
Leader of Opposition and Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidate from Songsak and Tikrikilla, Mukul Sangma, on February 9 dared Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma to stand up against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Addressing a gathering during an election rally in Mendipathar, Sangma asked, “Will the respected CM, Conrad Sangma, have the courage to stand against BJP?”
Cautioning the people of Meghalaya to stay vigilant of the “vicious hidden agenda” of the BJP, the TMC leader was quoted in a statement as saying, “BJP is coming into our state with a hidden agenda. Go and see what is happening in Assam and how people are being treated differently. While BJP speaks about development here, sooner or later, they will exercise their hidden agenda, as they have done in other states.”
He further added that post Independence, several laws were enacted in various states to confer provisions, including the 6th schedule in Meghalaya, Article 371 in Nagaland, and Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.
“These laws were given to protect and preserve the culture and the way of life. But, what happened to Article 370 in Kashmir?” he asked.
“The Modi-led BJP government works against the will of the people. Many leaders from Kashmir, including the former chief ministers, were arrested during the persecution. We must stay united and vigilant of such nefarious activities,” he said.
Meanwhile, in another programme at Achotchonggre ground in Bajengdoba, Sangma slammed the chief minister over the alleged failure of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government in all sectors.
He said, the NPP-led MDA government created an infamous history by denying the appointment of teachers.
“First time in the country, the Meghalaya government failed to appoint teachers, thereby restricting our children’s access to education. Children are stranded hopelessly due to the disastrous governance,” he said.
Voicing the need for a ‘change in guard’ of governance for a better Meghalaya, Sangma said, “Despite the government having the means to effectively fill the job vacancies, they ignored giving a chance to our youth. For whom were these vacancies reserved instead of being filled? Therefore, we need a change,” he added.
Accusing the government of dereliction of duty, the leader of opposition said, “There is a high scope for improvement in terms of infrastructure in Garo Hills. People don’t have sufficient money in their hands and are forced to borrow money from their relatives for medical emergencies. The brilliant students from our society face the utmost difficulties to pursue their dream due to the lack of standard colleges and universities.”