SHILLONG:
Former bureaucrat and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Mawsynram, Himalaya M. Shangpliang promised to develop Mawsynram into a tourist destination if he is re-elected and BJP comes to power.
“Mawsynram has been neglected by the incumbent government and funds have only been allotted to Sohra,” Shangpliang told media persons after filing his nomination in Shillong on February 7.
First on his list of ‘things to do’ once the BJP comes to power is to declare Mawsynram into a civil sub-division. “The sub-division is needed to bring development to Mawsynram, especially in the tourism sector,” he said.
Reacting to remarks on widespread non-acceptance of the party by the people, Shangpliang said, “Come, see and meet the people in rural areas and you’ll get an answer. The people of Meghalaya have understood that only the BJP can bring about change.”
Stating that Meghalaya has undergone a lot of crisis, the BJP candidate said, the state needs to come back on track. “The BJP can provide a lot of developmental projects like roads, engineering and medical colleges, and employment opportunities for the youth – all of which are in the manifesto of the BJP which we are going to implement the moment we sit in the government,” he added.
Countering opponents for calling BJP ‘anti-Christians’ and ‘anti-minorities’, Shangpliang said such remarks are targeted to tarnish the image of the party.
“These are allegations. PM Modi has given so many schemes for the rural and women folks through various ministries. There are so many- developmental projects sanctioned by the Minority ministry – we can see the PA Sangma Stadium in Tura – that was sanctioned by the minority ministry,” he added.
To a query on allegations of BJP’s plans of poaching MLAs post-elections, Shangpliang said, “Let the election be over; Let us see how many seats we get. There is no question of buying and selling MLAs.”
When asked about the performance of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government, the BJP candidate said that there have been many ups and downs in these past five years.
“This is not the time to play the blame game. We need to take the state forward. It is the time to create and bring development. Yes, the MDA has done good things and there were also many things people may not have liked,” he said.
Stating that the centre has provided more than 70 schemes for Meghalaya, Shangpliang said questions loom large concerning the implementation of these schemes on the ground.
Exuding confidence in winning the Mawsynram seat, Shangpliang said, “The mood in my constituency is upbeat and I am confident of being re-elected. I feel that yes, we will be there in the next assembly. I am confident that BJP will be in the government and we will be bringing a lot of change for the people, especially in the health, education and employment sectors.”