Shillong/Tura:
Leader of the Opposition Dr. Mukul Sangma launched a full-fledged attack on the NPP-led MDA government, on February 4, holding the government responsible for making hollow promises to the people of the state.
Speaking at a gathering in Ampati, South West Garo Hills District, Sangma mentioned,
“In the last five years, the development measures that were started under my tenure remain unfinished. For instance, I hear people say that vacancies are available but no new appointments are being processed. This government has delayed the appointment of thousands of teachers, leaving them in utter disarray.”
Taking a dig at the ruling dispensation for being mired in corruption, Sangma added, “A medical college has opened and a huge funding of Rs 172 crores has been brought in. They have only spent Rs 62 crores and there are no answers for the rest. Isn’t it the duty of the government to be transparent? Am I going to study again as a doctor? No.These are for the people. Medical colleges are established not only for education but also to treat the sick. There are specialists and super-specialist professors in medical colleges. There are sufficient equipment to carry out city scans and MRIs. Despite having facilities, we are pushed to go to Goalpara, Guwahati, and other states. Do our elders from the Garo Hills carry a lot of money?”
The Leader of the Opposition also mentioned that the state reels under severe issues that plague the development of the people of Meghalaya. “Even after pursuing higher education, the youngsters of this state have become a victim of the devastating unemployment in Meghalaya.
Additionally, drug users are also increasing in the state along with the number of dealers. This is our state, and it is our responsibility to preserve and protect the people of Meghalaya. We need to stand united, not for a day or two but until the end,” he said.
‘People lived in darkness’
The battle of lights appears to have impacted the NPP and arch-rivals TMC with Meghalaya TMC candidate from South Tura Richard Mrong Marak accusing the outgoing state government of Conrad K Sangma of pushing people back into the dark ages.
“People lived in darkness for the past 5 years, deprived of any development and growth. This double-engine government has only wrecked the life of the people of Meghalaya,” claimed Richard Marak even as the NPP dismissed his remarks as empty rhetoric while highlighting its developmental packages for each constituency, locality including the urban street lighting in Tura to dispel darkness.
But the South Tura candidate was not to be outdone, slamming the MDA government and accusing it of depriving teachers who had to hit the streets to protest against the government demanding the reinstatement of service.
Richard believes the ‘winds of change’ are here in his favour as he terms the TMC’s WE and MYE Cards as “revolutionary schemes”.
