MEGHALAYA: REGIONAL PARTIES IN SUPPORT OF CHIEF MINISTER CONRAD K SANGMA

The regional parties of Meghalaya Hill State People's Democratic Party (HSPDP) and People’s Democratic Front ( PDF) today campaigned for NPP candidate Clement G. Momin at Sapthoka, Chondonpara and Joyfur to give testimony that all the regional partners are united under the leadership of Conrad K. Sangma.

“We have started our development journey under Conrad K. Sangma’s leadership. All our feedback for Ampati constituency is very positive. We heard of misinformation campaign led by the Congress that regional parties will align with them. Let me tell on behalf of PDF that we are united and together with NPP,” said Banteidor Lyngdoh at Joyfur village.

The regional forces and independent MLAs, who are part of Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) gave testimony of being together and united for Clement G. Momin. They all asserted that MDA Government would complete full term and there was nothing to be afraid.

“The Government is strong and stable,” Lyngdoh asserted.

“We are 100 per cent united and we have total of 37 MLAs. Congress party has to sit in opposition. So there is no point to support the Congress,” said Lambor Malgniang, an Independent MLA and Chairman of Meghalaya State Planning Board.

The regional parties made sharp statement against the Congress for trying to mislead the people that they would be able to form the Government post by-election. The regional parties asked Mukul Sangma as to what makes them believe and fool the people that they would be able to form the Government.

“MDA Government will not just last for five years but forever”, said Renikton Lyngdoh, HSPDP MLA. He also said that people of Ampati voted Mukul Sangma for six terms and because of them he had become Chief Minister for eight years but he left the people of his constituency for his political benefits, which is not right. “Conrad K. Sangma is a young and dynamic leader. We foresee progress and development in Meghalaya under his leadership,” he added.

Urban Affairs Minister and PDF leader Hamletson Dohling said, “It is a very important election as Clement G. Momin is not just the candidate of NPP but of the MDA Government and we appeal to the people to give the mandate to him so that MDA Government is further strengthened and Ampati joins the ruling side.” He asserted that PDF would never support Congress.

“Our commitment is with NPP and other MDA partners, we are united. We are a party with ideology and disciple and would continue to support the leadership of Conrad K. Sangma,” added Dohling.

National President of NPP and Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said, “Congress MP Susmita Deb who was here (Joyfur) said that Mukul Sangma will become Chief Minister. I fail to understand from where they will get MLAs and the required numbers to form the Government. Are they thinking of getting MLAs from Karnataka?”

Conrad K. Sangma also said that all non-Congress MLAs were together with the Government. “Our Government is strong and united. We are committed to take the State and our people forward. Don’t fall prey to false promises of the Congress,” he added.

The Chief Minister said that NPP believes in giving political powers to the minorities, which is the reason that the Koch and Hajong member of district council were given the post of Executive Members in Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC).

“Without political power the minority communities cannot grow. So we have deemed it necessary to include Hajong and Koch members of GHADC in the executive body. Congress had been in power in the district council for several years.

Conrad said that unlike Congress the NPP don’t look for party affiliation to allot welfare schemes. “Gone are those days, when beneficiaries had to prove their party affiliation. We will never ask from which party you belong. We will never differentiate on the basis of any political party. We will follow provision of the scheme to provide you the benefits,” added Conrad.

Urging the people to vote for the consensus candidate of MDA, the Chief Minister said, “If Clement G. Momin is given the mandate, we will look into your concerns and carry forward the agenda of development. We want to take Ampati forward.”