With the Assam-Meghalaya border pact resulting in a political tussle, Conrad Sangma, National President of the National People’s Party (NPP), said that the people of the state had waited for 50 years and that while it was not an easy decision, everything was done in the best interests of the people of the state.
Sangma gave a speech at the U Soso Tham Auditorium on the 27th of April as part of a youth conference hosted by the National People’s Youth Front (NPYF).
“If we have created the people of the State, they would not be leaving their party and joining our party, they (the opposition) must examine themselves to see what they are doing or have done.”
Conrad Sangma’s response to opposition
NPP chief Conrad Sangma stated in response to the opposition’s claim that the NPP has defrauded them on the Assam-Meghalaya border accord.
Terming that the decision on Assam – Meghalaya border pact was not easy, he said, “It was a very difficult decision but with sheer consultation with our colleagues we took the bold decision and have moved forward to resolve the border issue.”
Quoting a line from a movie that says, “What we do today, echoes in eternity”, NPP chief Conrad Sangma said, “People gave us the mandate so we had to make a choice to make a difference in their lives rather than regret that we missed the opportunity.”
He went on to say that while many people are talking about the Assam-Meghalaya border issue, he believes it is a task that must be overcome. “The people of the state had waited 50 years…it was not an easy decision, but everything we did was in the best interests of the people of the state.”
He further reminded the crowd that the list of villages was compiled in 2011 during Mukul Sangma’s reign and that if any villages were left out, it was due to him, not our government. “He should have visited those towns in 2011, not now, and tried to use the issue politically.”
“Those towns would not have been left out if you had visited them in 2011,” he continued.
He further highlighted that negotiating with Assam was tough for the government because the state government had already presented a list of areas of disagreement.
NPP Chief Conrad Sangma stated, referring to KHADC’s decision to go to court. “Some individuals are making assertions that they would take the problem through a legal process. Let me assure them that NPP MDCs are not a factor in this decision. Let me also advise the individual that they were an active participant in the discussion, which explains why they are now attempting to exploit the situation for political gain.”
In the statement made by AITC leader, Conrad Sangma will lose the South Tura seat, he said, “Election is not easy. Don’t think you will win. Now that some people are saying that I will lose the election, I will work harder.”
Last month, Assam and Meghalaya signed an agreement to resolve disputes in six locations, accounting for nearly 70% of the boundary disputes between the two states. The remaining six locations will be handled soon.
Also Read: CM SARMA FOCUSES TO RESOLVE BORDER DISPUTE WITH ARUNACHAL PRADESH
