JOWAI : Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar on said the National People’s Party (NPP)-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government has been able to accelerate development across the state because of its stability, unity and commitment to governance over the past eight years.
Addressing a public meeting at Ummulong Madan Khawang in support of NPP candidate Dr. DRL Nonglait for the upcoming Shillong Lok Sabha Parliamentary by-election, Dhar told a gathering of more than 10,000 people that the coalition government has remained focused on public welfare instead of being distracted by internal political battles.He said the MDA government has continued to function smoothly despite having more than 30 legislators, as its leaders have worked together with a common purpose rather than competing for positions.
“For the past eight years, we have governed the State without internal divisions. Even though we have 32–33 MLAs, we have never allowed leadership disputes or political rivalries to weaken our government. Unlike some parties that spend their time fighting for power and trying to unseat one another, we have remained focused on serving the people,” Dhar said.
Recalling Meghalaya’s political history, the Deputy Chief Minister said governments in the past often struggled to complete their tenure because of instability and frequent leadership changes. “There was a time when Chief Ministers changed every seven or eight months. Our unity and coordination have helped Meghalaya move forward, and even Union Ministers have recognised the State as one of the fastest-growing in the country. We are a government that places the interests of the people above power and political office,” he added. Responding to criticism over the state’s borrowings, Dhar maintained that every loan taken by the government complies with the borrowing limits prescribed by the Union Ministry of Finance. He said a substantial portion of the financial burden would be borne by the Central Government, leaving only a limited share for the state.
“When we came to power in 2018, Meghalaya’s budget stood at ₹9,000 crore. Today it has increased to ₹30,000 crore because of the dedication and hard work of our leadership,” he said. Referring to recent remarks by the Union Finance Minister, Dhar said Meghalaya’s debt remains within the permissible limit and added that several projects announced by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma are being supported by central funding. “Holding public office does not give anyone the freedom to act as they please. Every decision we take must follow the law and the rules laid down by the government,” he said.
Highlighting the government’s infrastructure initiatives, Dhar said nearly ₹10,000 crore has been invested in road development across Meghalaya. According to him, ₹4,600 crore has been used to improve about 3,400 kilometres of existing roads, while another ₹5,000 crore has been allocated for the construction of around 600 kilometres of new roads. He further said Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has assured Meghalaya of an additional ₹39,000 crore infrastructure package. He also announced that the Prime Minister is expected to lay the foundation stone for projects worth ₹21,000 crore, including the proposed 166-km four-lane highway connecting Umroi and Ratacherra.
Taking a swipe at the opposition, Dhar accused rival parties of repeatedly making corruption allegations without substantiating their claims.
“It is unfortunate that some political parties keep repeating the word ‘corruption’ every day without producing any evidence. If they have proof, they should place it before the public instead of misleading innocent people with baseless accusations,” he said. He concluded by urging voters to support NPP candidate Dr. DRL Nonglait in the upcoming Shillong Lok Sabha Parliamentary by-election.