NPP president begins campaign by helicopter in four constituencies

Shillong, Feb 20: National President Conrad K. Sangma on Tuesday instilled hopes among the people by spelling out agenda for a new and resurgent Meghalaya.

The NPP chief began his whirlwind chopper tour of four constituencies, Songsak, Chokpot, Kharkutta and the coal-rich Shahlang area under Mawshynrut constituency of South West Khasi Hills district.

“The political currents have changed in Meghalaya and the people have the desire for a change that will happen soon. People have realized that in Congress party there is no democracy as Mukul have turned Congress into a Mukul party,” he said.

At Shahlang, he accused the Mukul Sangma-led government of failing to take up the issue of coal mining ban with the centre after the ban by the NGT.

Conrad said that people in Meghalaya largely depend on coal directly or indirectly but the chief minister has failed to ensure that mining is in the interest of the people.

“I raised the issue in the Parliament several times and with the ministry because I am really concerned for our people and their livelihood. It is surprising that the state government under the leadership of Mukul failed to take up the issue with the Centre”, Conrad alleged.

Conrad also accused Mukul of being least interested in taking up the issue of coal even with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “If he (Mukul) was concerned for the people, he (Mukul) would have done it but he is just not bothered because he has a business lobby and was making attempt to push the coal mining through corporate,” he said.

He also said that the chief minister had an “ulterior motive” and the people of Jaintia Hills have realised it and branded Meghalaya Mining Development Corporation (MMDC) as “Mukul Mining Dikkanchi Corporation”, as the chief minister tried all effort to force the people to sign an agreement with the MMDC.

Conrad also said that the Central government had asked Meghalaya to draft a mining policy but Mukul has failed the people because he has no vision.

“NPP has a political will but without political power. If the people give their mandate, the NPP would ensure that mining starts again in the state ”, Conrad assured while stating that mining is a thrust area and part of the people’s document as the NPP believed in scientific approach to coal mining.