We cannot afford to slow down development: Ampareen

SHILLONG, MAR 7: Newly sworn in cabinet minister of the National People’s Party Ampareen Lyngdoh on Tuesday called upon all political parties to unanimously decide to take the state forward.

After the swearing-in ceremony, Lyngdoh asserted the need to ensure that post-election stability is once again brought about as she was referring to the fragmented mandate in the Khasi Hills as ‘worrisome’.

“I think now across the board all political parties should unanimously decide to take the state forward,” she told reporters.

Lyngdoh, who is the lone woman in the Conrad K Sangma ministry, added: “We cannot afford to slow down development and progress in the state of Meghalaya and in the interest of the people and the state of Meghalaya we must all work towards a common goal.”

“Yes, we may have differences of opinions but these opinions should not be at the cost of the progress of the state of Meghalaya,” she further stated.

Stating that she is looking forward to being party to this rejuvenation of the NPP and coalition partners of the MDA-2, Lyngdoh said, “We need to make sure all the issues are addressed. We must make sure that this image that the NPP has in the minds of the people should be immediately erased. We have to start pulling our socks…”

When asked, the East Shillong legislator said, “In my personal opinion though I am not aware yet of the assignments to be given to me and departments to be handed over to me but I can assure one thing that we need to make sure that issues that have been flagged for so long by the people of the state of Meghalaya should be addressed one after the other.”

Meanwhile, Lyngdoh also lauded the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for gracing the occasion and said that his interest for Meghalaya is genuine.

“Meghalaya is not sans India. We are part of this nation and I am so delighted and honoured to have been on the same stage with the Prime Minister of this nation because we have to march together forward with the entire country. You cannot expect any criticism of this humility displayed by the Prime Minister of this nation. He is already aware of the complex mandate of the people of the state of Meghalaya but yet he made time and he made himself available which means that his interest for the state of Meghalaya is genuine. That is important and people should not deviate from that fact,” she added.

By Our Reporter