Tura, Feb 16: Union Home Minister Amit Shah made his debut election rally in Tura on Thursday evening where he criticised the Conrad K. Sangma government of being steeped in corruption and betraying Meghalaya of development.

The union minister alleged that Meghalaya could soon go power deficit as the state power department MeECL is on the verge of collapse due to corruption.

“Meghalaya stands among the top states of the country for corruption and only a strong BJP can make a Strong Meghalaya,” said Amit Shah.

Hailing PM Modi for eradicating corruption that had engulfed the country for the last 50 years, Shah said “From 2014 to 2023 corruption has been erased from the country under the leadership of PM Modi.”

Amit Shah also accused the NPP govt in Meghalaya of failing to implement central schemes meant for the benefit of the people of the state. “Modi has released multiple central schemes to Meghalaya but they disappear once it reaches the state,” he said.

Taking a jibe at allegations of non implementation of central schemes, Shah stated that Modi has been sending schemes into Meghalaya but by the time they get here, they become invisible. He said Meghalaya was yet to get even a single medical college although the centre had cleared for two medical colleges.

He also said that the centre is moving into making education inclusive in the State with the local Garo language from primary to higher secondary level.

Shah also questioned the high deficit budget in a small state like Meghalaya where the deficit was over Rs 1800 crores. He said Meghalaya has been downgraded in the economic status by the RBI which is predicting a downslide in the state’s economy.

Under BJP, Amit Shah promised one IT park each in Khasi-Jaintia and Garo Hills, as well as a special economic zone with a Rs 100 crore support for MSME to help small scale industries.

He also spoke of the Rs 5000 crores funding for roads in Meghalaya, creation of 39 Eklavya Schools for the state, sanction of Rs 6000 crores under Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region (PM-DevINE).