TURA, Jan 31: A huge bike rally comprising of over 2000 bikers led by none other than Meghalaya Chief Minister and NPP Chief Conrad K. Sangma took off in Mukul Sangma’s bastion of Ampati on Tuesday as part of a road show for the youth aimed at giving support to their four candidates in the district.

The chief minister told a large crowd of supporters that his government would ensure job opportunities for 5 lakh people within the next five years through various programmes like the PRIME project, a pet project of the government.

The huge show of strength was to show Mukul Sangma that the NPP means business and ready to give a challenge in his bastion.

“Our party has been committed for the welfare of the youth. Through programmes like PRIME, we have promoted entrepreneurship in Meghalaya and we will ensure 5 lakh job opportunities in the next five years,” assured the chief minister.

Conrad further promised the youth that his government would continue to sponsor and support activities with regard to sports, music and extra-curricular activities.

Mentioning the dismal numbers in 2018 in South West Garo Hills, where all four seats went to the Congress and later became TMC, the chief minister expressed disappointment that opposition MLAs never approached his government, as a result of which many development initiatives could not be initiated in south west district.

“It is important that MLAs collaborate with the Govt. It is always best to have MLAs from the ruling side,” said the chief minister.

Attacking Mukul Sangma’s new party TMC, Conrad termed it a divided group claiming that large numbers of TMC supporters have become disillusioned and are leaving for other parties. “A majority of those leaving the TMC are coming to us in the NPP saying they see no future in that party. This election we will show that the NPP returns with full majority,” he said to a thunderous applause from hundreds of supporters.

The youth rally organised by National People’s Youth Front (NPYF) began with a motorcycle rally that was led by the chief minister himself who drove a Royal Enfield bullet bike.

The rally was organised to drum up support for four candidates contesting in the four constituencies, namely Subir Marak in Rangsakona, Sanjay A Sangma in Mahendraganj, Ian Botham K Sangma in Salmanpara and Steve Marak in Ampatigre.

Well known singer Bage Kamsai from Arunachal Pradesh gave a live performance of the NPP song that has been trending among thousands of its supporters.