Shillong Mar 25: Congress candidate from Tura Lok Sabha Constituency and former Chief Minister, Dr Mukul Sangma who filed his nominations on Monday predicted that the nation would throw out the BJP regime at the Centre in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Accompanied by party legislators and leaders, Dr Sangma who is at present the Leader of Opposition in Meghalaya Assembly told reporters after filing his nominations that he was confident of winning from Tura.

Dr Sangma is facing NPP candidate and former Union minister, Agatha K. Sangma, the sister of Chief Minister, Conrad K. Sangma.

“I am very confident and I trust the people of the state and people of Garo Hills. I have full confidence on them,” he said.

Asked about his agendas, Dr Sangma said, “in national politics, you have seen how things have unfolded in the recent past. How the nation is subjected to so much of uncertainty and issues related to joblessness, plight of farmers, traders, and an overall situation across the nation that calls for collective endeavor of all concerns who are concerned for the sustainability of our democracy. The democracy is under threat. So the issues are before us and the people have seen what is happening, and must come together and collectively ensure the defeat of the current regime (BJP-led NDA) and ensure installation of a new government.”

On both the BJP and NPP fielding their own candidate despite being together in the government, Dr Sangma said, “You know how the decision to put up a BJP candidate has ultimately emerged. You should also investigate how NPP was born, and who has nurtured and groomed them.”

On issues to be taken up in Parliament if elected as MP of Tura, Dr Sangma highlighted a number of issues.

“I have to pay for collecting my water and this is in the constituency of our Chief Minister. There are many problems be it social sector, infrastructural gap, the disparity that required to be addressed among the haves and haves not, issues related to potentialities that have not been tapped at all. We also have Indo-Bangla border which could have been easily exploited for the growth and prosperity of the region. There are a number of issues which require attention and the issues require a policy maker who have in-depth understanding of the problems and complexities associated with the people of the Northeast, only then you will be able to articulate all those challenges while formulating policies,” he said.

On the claim that the BJP will get majority again, Dr Sangma said, “The nation is going to throw out this regime (BJP-led NDA government).”

As he fights with late PA Sangma’s family from Tura, the seat which has been held by the family for many decades, Dr Sangma said, “You should remember that it was the Congress that groomed them.”