Shillong, February 18: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has called on voters to reject parties attempting to communalize the upcoming Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) elections, scheduled for February 21.
Addressing an election meeting at Dangar under the Mawsynram constituency, Sangma emphasized the need to defeat divisive politics. “The upcoming election is an opportunity to give a befitting response to parties that are trying to divide our people,” he stated. He urged the electorate to vote against parties creating rifts and assured that the government has no intention of restricting any indigenous groups from exercising their voting rights.
Sangma, while campaigning at Cherrakata, Pataghat, and Mawsynram for NPP candidate Alvin Sawkmie, reminded the people of the promises fulfilled since the 2019 KHADC election. He highlighted the government’s initiatives to support people in the India-Bangladesh border region and underscored the construction of the Balat-Dangar-Ryngku road as a major achievement.
“People living in the border area have been neglected for a long time, but we have fulfilled our assurance to construct this road, which was promised during the 2019 KHADC election,” he said.
The Chief Minister reaffirmed his government’s commitment to development, citing a Rs 50-crore project aimed at addressing public concerns. He also mentioned the ongoing Rs 100-crore-plus Weiloi-Mawsynram road project, funded by the World Bank.
“The opposition may say anything, but they never made the road and the bridge in this region,” Sangma remarked, asserting that the NPP government has delivered on infrastructure promises, including the redesign and completion of the Khasipara bridge.
Sangma further appealed to the electorate to trust the NPP, as they had in the 2019 KHADC election, which empowered the party to push forward development initiatives. He acknowledged the long-standing neglect of people in the border areas and called for the election of capable leaders who would work for their welfare.
“I have campaigned in the border area during this election, and people are united with the NPP. They are committed to working and strengthening the party for Meghalaya’s progress,” he stated.
He urged voters to support the NPP’s candidates to sustain development efforts across the state. Assuring the people of his commitment, he reiterated his pledge to stand by them and ensure continued progress in the region.
