SHILLONG, JAN 12: A teacher-turned-advocate, Aneeta Synrem who is all gearing to contest from Pynthorumkhrah constituency in the upcoming Assembly polls, today termed the former Congress legislator AL Hek as an “opportunist” by resigning as MLA and joining the BJP.
“He (Hek) is an opportunist who is thinking only for his own self development,” said Synrem, while announcing that she would be contesting as an Independent candidate from the constituency.
Alexander L Hek, along with former NCP state chief and former South Shillong legislator, Sanbor Shullai and two independent MLAs – Justine Dkhar and Robinus Syngkon had resigned as members of the Assembly and joined the BJP on January 2.
She further lambasted the former legislator for his alleged failures in bringing real development in the constituency despite of being elected for four consecutive times as public represenative.
“The constituency is still underdeveloped despite of him being the MLA for the past 20 years. There is no proper drainage system, no street lights, roads are pathetic. There is absolutely no public friendly policy,” Synrem said.
Stating it is high time to bring a change in the constituency, she said this can happen only if the electorate voted for a new face, a leader who can live up to the expectation and aspiration of the people.
Asked, Synrem said that she had no interest to approach any political parties for ticket to contest the upcoming polls because of their different ideologies.
“However, I feel that I can deliver and do much better in term of serving the people as an independent candidate,” she said while rubbhishing the rumours spread by her political opponents that she will not be contesting as an attempt to create doubt among the people.
Admitting that the fight against the heavy weight will not be easy, the advocate however claimed that the people of the constituency are starting to lose faith in the former legislator.
“This was clearly indicated in the last 2013 Assembly elections, when a candidate, who is a non-resident of the constituency, gave a neck to neck fight against Hek,” she said.
Asked as to what made her decide to join politics, Synrem reveals that she wanted to ensure that there is increase in the representation of women legislators in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly.
At present, there are five women sitting legislators in the 60-member House.
“I feel there is still less women representation in the Assembly which is male-dominating as of now. Therefore, I decided to be an example by contesting for the first time to encourage women to come forward and take their respective place in the Assembly,” she said.
According to her, women in matrilineal society should realize their potentialities that they are not only meant for kitchen management and raising children but can also contribute so much to the welfare of the society as a whole.
Spelling out her priorities, the advocate assured that she would ensure that laws are implemented to address various problems especially crimes against women and children.
With regards to money power that is going to play its big role in the upcoming polls, she said that there is a need to connect with the people and the supporters and make them aware of the ills of money power.
“What will happen if people are running only after candidates who are having wealth? It is time for the people to see the potentiality of candidates who are without wealth but can bring a change in the state,” Synrem asserted.
By Our Reporter
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