Colorful end to campaign in Tura as Congress, NPP and BJP seeks voters’ mandate

Tura, April 11: Campaigning came to a close on Saturday afternoon across Garo Hills with no untoward incidents reported, despite calls for boycott by some protesting groups opposed to non-tribal participation, with the major parties concluding their campaign in Tura town itself.

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma took part in a rally and public meeting at Tura bazaar at noon which was followed by BJP candidate Bernard N Marak also seeking voters support during a special BJP rally in the market on the same afternoon.

The regional UDP led by party president Metbah Lyngdoh held an election rally at New Tura playground in which their candidate Pilne A Sangma also sought public support for her candidature.

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma told crowds at Tura bazaar that this election was not about party and ideology but about who has delivered to the demands of the people.

“Tura and GHADC are the pride of the entire Garo Hills and we in the NPP have taken all necessary steps to restore it to glory. Changes have already taken place in GHADC to remove illegal appointments and stem the corruption. In Tura we have fulfilled the people’s demand for adequate water supply and better roads,” claims Conrad Sangma as he promises another 3 lakh water connection through the Jal Jivan Mission for the people of the region within the next one year.

“All these require team work which is why we have the MP and MLA from the same party and wish to have our own party MDC too. A united effort will pay rich dividends in development of Tura and Garto Hills,” assures the chief minister.

The head of the Congress campaign in this election, former chief minister Mukul Sangma, rallied the party election machinery towards the plain belt region- once a bastion of the party- as he toured Tikrikilla, Raksamgre, Balachanda, Phulbari and Rajabala region in a span of 24 hours conducrting a series of meetings where he attacked the NPP government for its alleged corruption and misappropriation of funds.

Targeting the MDA government, particularly power minister James Pangsang K Sangma, Mukul Sangma displayed media reports about the open loot of MeECL during the tenure of the current government and demanded accountability.

“The misappropriation in MeECL resulted in three months non-payment of salaries of the employees. It was only after they threatened to go on a strike that money was released. Where in history has employees demanded the ouster of their own minister?” questioned Mukul Sangma.

He also said that the manner in which the GHADC was heading is indicating its possible extinction. “We need to find out the agenda behind such a move,” claims the leader of the opposition and reminded the people that GHADC is the pride of every citizen of Garo Hills.

The BJP candidate Bernard N Marak, on the other hand, warned that the district council was fast becoming a toothless tiger with all of its powers gradually being taken away by the state.

“The state is gradually taking away one department after another belonging to the GHADC. When the council is bereft of powers then how can they generate funds?” asks Bernard Marak.

He says that the only way for a revival of the GHADC will be its transformation into a Territorial Council with adequate powers and departments bestowed to it and doing away with the Non-Schedule areas which has given powers to the municipal boards and other state department jurisdictions.

“We will prepare a new electoral roll in the interest of the community, empower women, ensure employment for the youth and provide a corruption free administration,” says the BJP candidate for Tura.