SHILLONG:
Trinamool Congress (TMC), National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee, on February 18 pledged that if voted to power the party will make Meghalaya number one state in the country.
Addressing a crowd on his fourth and final day in the state at Mylliem, he said, “This is our word to you that we will make Meghalaya top the charts in every social indicator – be it healthcare, education, or infrastructure. We will ensure that Meghalaya emerges as number one [state] in the country in the days to come. I will be in Shillong on March 2 to celebrate the change and our victory with each one of you,” he said.
Winding up his visit, Banerjee assured that all the 10 pledges will be kept and fulfilled to make the state emerge on top of development index, and remove corruption from the system.
“I give you my word, that after Trinamool Congress forms the government in Meghalaya, all the 10 Pledges will be kept and fulfilled. We will try to implement the three pledges to the best of our abilities within three months…We are not doing you any favour as this is your right but you have been deprived of it for the past five years,” Banerjee added.
Elaborating on the unique connection between Meghalaya and Trinamool Congress’s election symbol, Abhishek Banerjee said, “Our symbol is a twin flower with three petals. Like we have three petals in the flowers, Meghalaya has three Hills that unite the state – Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia. All three Hills have to come in unison for the holistic development of the state.”
Tearing into the hollow claims of development by the NPP-led MDA government, Banerjee said, “Their integrity and sense of duty has gone down the drain. They boast and brag about running a double-engine government with the BJP’s help and support at the Centre but it pains my heart to see the roads in dilapidated condition and poor infrastructure everywhere…Meghalaya is the only state in India that does not have any medical college. It pains me to see that Shillong Medical College exists only on paper and the future of the Tura medical college is in the doldrums.”
He also slammed Chief Minister Conrad Sangma for failing to protect the people of Meghalaya and take a stand for them in the past five years. “Five innocent civilians and farmers were killed in Mukroh. Poor farmers, returning after work from paddy fields, were labelled as timber smugglers. Do you really need a CM who doesn’t have the spine and courage to stand for the people of his own state?” he asked the people.
The event was attended by Meghalaya State In-Charge Dr. Manas Ranjan Bhunia, Meghalaya TMC State President Charles Pyngrope, Meghalaya TMC Vice-President James Lyngdoh, and Meghalaya TMC candidate from Mylliem Gilbert Guidingstar Laloo.