Guwahati: Chief of the National People’s Party (NPP) Conrad K Sangma along with senior party leader Thomas A Sangma canvassed for Nihim D Shira, Rakesh A Sangma, and Rakkam A Sangma on February 14 in their respective seats throughout the Garo Hills.
Conrad claimed that the people of Songsak had suffered because their MLA was only interested in politics, going from Congress to TMC, and had failed to represent the aspirations of the people while seeking support for Songsak candidate Nihim D. Shira.
He termed Mukul as ungrateful that he chose to contest from Tikrikilla while being an elected MLA from Songsak. “People of Songsak should ask Mukul if he wins both the seats, which one he will resign,” the NPP chief reasoned while stating that the mood is not in favour of TMC and Mukul will lose both the seats.
Stating that the people of Songsak are fortunate to have Nihim as their leader as he is ever willing to work for the people of Songsak, the NPP chief said, “Mukul never came to me. He was busy in his own world. He forgot his people from the constituency and now he is juggling between Songsak and Tikrikilla with the hope to win. People should not get carried away by his false promises, and vote for a party that is forming the Government with an absolute majority.”
He added that the political climate is crystal obvious and that supporters of the NPP have gathered from every area of the State.
“We are confident of winning a majority of seats. Our reading is that this time NPP will win both Songsak and Tikrikilla. Mukul’s days are numbered as people will vote for a party that cares,” he expressed.
Nihim D. Shira, the head of the NPP and the candidate for 41-Songsak, blasted Mukul Sangma for making false promises to the residents of Songsak.
Nihim claimed that Mukul is fleeing to Tikrikilla out of fear because he was unable to keep his commitments.
Conrad attacked Saleng Sangma, a rival candidate to Rakesh Sangma in the Melim, under 56- Gambegre constituency, and the Congress, which has utterly lost ground in Meghalaya and is in no position to even win 2 seats in the entire State.
The chief minister of Meghalaya emphasised that the NPP has tried to fulfil the promises and requests of the people with the utmost integrity and sincerity. He stated that various Civil Sub Division and C&RD blocks established in the State last year were long-cherished requests of the populace that were satisfied by the NPP-led Government.
Rakesh Sangma said that his opponent has no other point so he is simply questioning his identity. “I am glad that the people of Gambegre will not buy their words as they have united to wholeheartedly support me,” he appealed.
He informed the crowd that the state is moving forward and developing quickly under Conrad’s direction.
Conrad Sangma stated during the election meeting in Rongara, in the 58-Rongara Siju constituency that over the past five years, despite numerous obstacles, the NPP-led government was able to advance development in the State.
“We have managed to initiate iconic projects in different regions of the State. Our mantra has been holistic development and growth of the State. We ensure equitable and inclusive development interventions,” he said.
“The political scenario in 2018 and 2023 is completely different. The public in Meghalaya today has complete trust in NPP, which has forced Mukul Sangma & his team to leave Congress and join TMC. They had won 21 in 2018 but today Congress has zero MLAs,” he added.
He added that the party had lost support across the nation and that Congress has a leadership issue.
“The Congress party has been rejected by all States, however, Mukul and his calculation to join TMC has gone wrong as the party has no future. TMC is embroiled in several scams in West Bengal and looks like the party will collapse in Meghalaya. TMC MLAs Marthon Sangma and Jimmy Sangma left TMC to join NPP as they realised that no future is there in TMC,” he said.
He also claimed that leaders from other political parties, including sitting MLAs, had joined NPP because they saw a future there and were confident that NPP would win a reelection by a landslide.
Rakkam A. Sangma, a candidate for the NPP in the 58-Rongara Siju constituency, praised Conrad K. Sangma for pushing for the development of the underdeveloped South Garo Hills region.
He pleaded with the populace to support his candidature in order to further expedite South Garo Hills’ growth.
He mentioned various development initiatives started by the NPP Government as well as the ongoing construction of the motorways from Rongara to Ranikor.
He also referred to the historical absence of mobile connectivity and the personal initiative taken by Conrad K. Sangma to start a conversation with telecom service providers to ensure connectivity and internet services in outlying areas of the South Garo Hills.
A sizable contingent of supporters from other political parties vowed their support for NPP in each of the three sessions on Tuesday.