SHILLONG, AUG 30: Deputy Chief Minister and NPP national vice president Sniawbhalang Dhar has said Mawthadraishan, considered a weak seat for NPP, will give 90 per cent votes to Shillong Lok Sabha bypoll candidate Dr DRL Nonglait and set an example for the rest of the 36 constituencies.
Campaigning at Lawbyrtun, Dhar said he has attended over 1800 election meetings across the state and has not heard a single negative remark about Dr Nonglait.
“Till date I have attended more than 1800 meetings. Not a single meeting has said Nonglait is not fit. Even new people are saying the NPP has fielded a very good candidate this time. That is a good sign,” he said.
Contrasting the voting pattern of Jaintia Hills with other regions, Dhar said, “In Jaintia Hills there are 7 MLAs and they are mostly in the ruling side because people think before voting. They don’t vote just because the music is nice. That is how representatives should be elected.”
He assured equal development based on mandate, stating, “If Jaintia Hills gives more votes, they get more development. If West Khasi Hills gives more, you get more. But I can tell you, minimum 60 per cent from Jaintia we will ensure for Dr Nonglait.”
Claiming a shift in Mawthadraishan, he said, “People from this constituency are telling me – Ma Sniawbha, we are not NPP but this time we will vote for Dr Nonglait. In Bynther where we got 9-10 votes last time, 200 people have now held a meeting for Dr Nonglait.”
Dhar said the party is holding 30 to 40 meetings a day across 36 constituencies.
“Myself, Prestone and the Chief Minister, we are not sleeping. All MLAs, block presidents and MDCs are working hard. Victory is ours, but we must work hard,” he said.
He asked voters not to be misled, recalling that the NPP had secured only 96 votes in Lawbyrtun in the last election.
“Take it as an experience. We either learn from mistakes,” he said.
Listing development works, Dhar said the MDA government does not discriminate on party lines.
“The Weiloi-Balat-Ranikor road worth Rs 600 crore is in a UDP constituency, yet we are building it. The Nongstoin-Maweit-Nongjri road worth Rs 380 crore plus Rs 100 crore last year is in HSPDP constituency. That proves we are here to serve, we are born to serve,” he said.
He added that since 2018, health, education, power and tourism sectors have seen equal distribution of development across all districts.
