Others wasted your 50 years, give BJP 5 years for development: PM Modi urges people in Meghalaya

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday alleged that the Congress government in Meghalaya was unable to spend crores of rupees it received from the Centre for the construction of rural roads. 

Addressing a rally in Phulbari town of Meghalaya, Modi said the successive governments in the state have wasted 50 years and urged the people to give the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) a chance for 5 years. 

"The current government has wasted your 50 years. I urge you to provide us with one opportunity for five years," Modi said. 

"Give us a chance to serve the state. We will ensure good governance guided by the philosophy of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'," he added. 

The Prime Minister said that all the work halted for 50 years will begin at once if the "double engine" of Delhi and Meghalaya work together.

Accusing the state government of corruption, Modi said it is recognized for the scam in the recruitment of teachers.

Accusing the Congress government of Mukul Sangma of ignoring the tourism sector, Modi said, "Meghalaya has immense potential for the growth of tourism sector but the state lacks tourists. No efforts were made ever to strengthen the sector."

He said the healthcare sector in the state was in bad shape despite the Chief Minister being a doctor himself. "Though the current CM is a doctor himself, the healthcare sector is in bad shape. Women are forced to deliver babies at home which poses a great threat to the lives of mother and baby."

He alleged that the state government failed to spend funds to build rural roads.

"Under PMGSY, we provided around Rs 470 crore for construction of 1100 KM of road. However, Meghalaya government was unable to spend 50% of the work. What is the reason that even if crores of rupees are released by Delhi for roads, there are no roads to be seen in Meghalaya?" Modi asked. 

Listing out the development works being carried out by the Centre, Modi said, "We have planned to spend around Rs. 180 crore for building of new Shillong airport. Thus, it will improve the possibilities of industrial development besides generation of employment for the common man."

"We approved construction of 21,000 houses in Meghalaya and provided more than Rs 100 crore to the government. But they were unable to build the required number of houses," he added. 

The BJP is making a strong pitch in both the states to expand its footprints in the North-Eastern states after formation of saffron party governments in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur.

The rally at Phulbari town is Prime Minister'’s second campaign meeting in the state to drum up support for the BJP candidates in the assembly elections. The town falls under the West Garo Hills district, considered as the Congress bastion since statehood in 1972.

Meghalaya will see voting on February 27. BJP, which has fielded candidates on 47 seats out of a total of 60 in Meghalaya, is making strong efforts to throw Congress out of power.