(file photo)

Shillong, Feb 05: Former bureaucrat and Congress candidate from Mawsynram, Himalaya M Shangpliang said that the people would give a befitting reply to the PDF leader and former legislator, Pynshngain N Syiem in the upcoming Assembly polls.

“The people of Mawsynram are looking for a change and they will give a befitting reply to the present sitting legislator,” Shangpliang told reporters after filing his nominations here on Monday.

Exuding confidence that the Congress will retain the Mawsynram seat, the former bureaucrat-turned-politician claimed that Syiem, a two-time legislator, has failed in all fronts be in term of roads, health care, farmers, drinking water and others.

“Prominent leaders of the PDF are switching sides and joining us. This itself shows the lack of confidence they have on him (Syiem),” Shangpliang said while reiterated that March 3 (counting day) will be a victory day for the Congress in Mawsynram.

While highlighting his priorities, the Congress candidate said that the state still need proper policies in place adding that he would ensure that broom get recognized as an agricultural produce.

Asked, he said that Syiem had failed to ensure that Mawsynram gets its civil sub-division despite including the same in his manifesto during the last 2013 election. “However, I would not make promises but I would try my level best to ensure people get a new civil sub-division for development of the constituency,” he added.