Congress is not serious, give us a chance to serve Meghalaya : Modi

Phulbari (Meghalaya), Feb 22: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that the ruling Congress-led government is not taking the people of Meghalaya seriously since they see no political challenge in the state.

“ …. I urge the people of Meghalaya to give us a chance to serve the state. We will ensure good governance guided by the philosophy of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas,” he said urging the 18.43 lakh electorates in Meghalaya to vote for BJP.

Garo Hills region in western Meghalaya has 24 assembly segments and was once considered the “heartland” of the former Lok Sabha Speaker, late Purno A. Sangma, who was also the founding member of the National People’s Party (NPP), one of the allies of the BJP at the Centre, Manipur and Rajasthan.

“Meghalaya needs double engine for growth. A BJP-led government at the centre and a BJP government in the state,” he said, addressing a massive rally here.

Modi, who was on his second leg of his election campaign to this Christian-majority state, termed the February 27 elections to the 60 member Meghalaya is about freeing from the state from scams of the ruling Congress government.

“The ruling government is recognized for scams in the recruitments in teachers,”

Launching his verbal attacks on Chief Minister Mukul Sangma for his failure to ensure all-round development, Modi asked, “Why is the Congress government in Meghalaya not discussing development? Why are they not telling the people about their development works? They are only busy in blaming ‘Modi’.”

Questioning the Congress for its failure to built all-weather roads, he asked, “What is the reason that even if crores of rupees are released by Delhi for roads, there is no road to be seen in Meghalaya? People from the rural areas of Meghalaya do not know what a pucca road is. The roads are only fit for doing agriculture here.”

“The Chief Minister of Meghalaya (Mukul Sangma) is a doctor himself but look at the condition of health infrastructure in the state. It is in ruins. Women are forced to deliver babies at home, which poses a great threat to the lives of the mother and baby,” he said.

Wooing the poor families to vote for BJP, the Prime Minister accused the Meghalaya government of not utilizing the funds allocated to the state meant for building the house for the poor.

On the poor road connectivity in rural areas of Meghalaya, the Prime Minister said that central government has provided around Rs. 470 crore under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana for construction of 1100-Km of road.

However, he said Meghalaya government was unable to spend 50 per cent of the work.

“We have planned to spend around Rs. 180 crore for building of new Shillong airport. Thus, it will improve the possibilities of industrial development besides generation of employment for common man,” Modi said.

He also highlighted about the Saubhagya Yojana which would ensure power for all and Ayushman Bharat which would ensure healthcare for all.

Unlike in Nagaland, where the BJP has stitched an alliance with the newly floated Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party, the BJP is fighting the assembly polls in Meghalaya in 47 seats all alone.