SHILLONG : NPP National Vice President and Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar on Friday urged voters to support the party’s Shillong Lok Sabha bypoll candidate Dr DRL Nonglait, arguing that electing an MP from the ruling side would benefit Meghalaya.
Addressing a campaign meeting at Mawryngkneng, Dhar said Dr Nonglait has covered all 36 constituencies in the past four months and has emerged as a strong candidate for the election.
“He holds 9-10 degrees and therefore he is most suitable to represent us in Parliament, a God-fearing man,” Dhar said.
Describing the upcoming election as important for the state, Dhar said having an MP aligned with the government would help Meghalaya secure greater benefits.
“If we get an MP from the government side it will be a gain for our State,” he said.
Dhar argued that political differences between the state government and its representative in Parliament could affect the focus on development.
“If we get MP from one house, Chief Minister from another house, we are only busy fighting, there is no time to work,” he said.
Dhar highlights MDA government’s achievements
Dhar also highlighted what he described as major achievements of the MDA government, including the growth of the state budget.
According to him, Meghalaya’s budget has increased from around Rs 9,000 crore in 2018 to Rs 30,000 crore over the past eight years.
On sports infrastructure, he said the annual sports budget has increased from around Rs 80 crore to Rs 1,000 crore, while a major football stadium costing approximately Rs 732 crore is coming up at Mawkhanu.
Dhar also highlighted road infrastructure projects, including the proposed Rs 27,000-crore four-lane Greenfield road from Ri-Bhoi to Rattacherra.
He said around 3,000 km of roads have been upgraded and 1,700 km of new roads constructed under the State Plan, apart from thousands of kilometres of roads sanctioned through the Centre.
Government claims progress in health and recruitment
On healthcare, Dhar said infant mortality has declined through initiatives such as the CM Motherhood Scheme, while several Community Health Centres and Primary Health Centres have been upgraded.
He also announced that interviews for Grade C and Grade D government jobs will be abolished from 2027, as part of recruitment reforms.
Dhar further highlighted the Meghalaya Assembly’s resolution opposing uranium mining, saying it was passed after 54 years of the issue being raised.
He also said the Khasi language was accorded official status after 53 years.
Concluding his campaign address, Dhar said the NPP government does not discriminate between constituencies when it comes to development.
“Go to 60 constituencies, the NPP Government never discriminates against anyone in terms of development,” he said.