Purno gave out a clear message and a challenge to CM Dr Mukul Sangma

Tura, March 23: National People’s Party candidate, Purno Agitok Sangma
today toured Meghalaya’s plain belt areas of Garo hills, which is a
minority belt.
He addressed two rallies at – Rajabala and Chibang in West Garo Hills.
Rajabala constituency is represented by Ashahel D Shira in Meghalaya
assembly and Chibang, which falls under Phulbari constituency is
represented by Abu Taheer Mondal.
Shira won the election in 2013 as an independent candidate and joined
the Congress. Mondal, a Congressmen, is a first non-tribal speaker of
the Meghalaya legislative assembly.
Addressing the rallies, Purno gave out a clear message and a challenge
to chief minister Mukul Sangma, who is yet to tour Garo hills to drum
up support for Congress candidate, Daryl William Momin.
In a charismatic style, Purno accompanied by Saleng Sangma, a
legislator from Gambegre, a former Congressmen castigated Mukul’s
government for his failure to work for the interest of the minorities.
Speaking in Bangla dialect at both the rallies, Purno said, “The
nation is heading for a change. You have to give the verdict for
change”.
He played the minority card fully by striking a cord.
On the proposed ban on minorities to contest and vote in the district
council polls, Purno said, “I will never allow Congress to do this.
For such a move, an amendment of the 6th schedule has to be made in
the parliament. If BJP and NDA forms the government, I will ensure
that it is opposed tooth and nail”.
On socio-economic status of plain belt areas, Purno said, “Mukul is
busy in developing his own constituency. He is not at all bothered
about minority areas. This is not fair, how can you allow them to
rule. Development approach has to be holistic”.
On the issue of militancy, which is alarming in Garo hills, Purno
said, “Traders are kidnapped and killed, most have to pay huge ransom.
How long can this continue? Why has Mukul failed to contain
insurgency?”
Saleng Sangma, an Independent MLA, a former close aide of Mukul said,
“It is sad that under Congress rule, price hike of essential
communities have made poor’s go hungry. It is shameful that in 21st
century India, this is happening. It is time for change and turn
around the situation”.
He vouched for Purno to take the lead in containing militancy and
development of Garo hills.
Former Congress MLA from Phulbari, Manirul Islam Sarkar blasted the
Congress for the 2013 ethnic violence in Tura and Nongalbibra. He
asked, “Why the government failed to arrest the culprits involved in
the killing of minorities?”(SP News)