Meghalaya:3 newly elected MLAs take oath

The oath of office to the new MLAs – Pyniaid Sing Syiem from Mawryngkneng, Abdus Saleh from Rajabala and Eugeneson Lyngdoh from Mawphlang – was administered by the Assembly Speaker Metbah Lyngdoh.

The ceremony was held in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, Deputy Speaker Timothy D Shira, cabinet ministers, MLAs and others.

Speaking to reporters after taking oath, Eugeneson said, “While reading the oath I understand that there is a lot of weight on my shoulders now and the responsibility that I have for my constituency.”

“I hope to complete (all the pending works) within this coming year,” the football star said.

Asked about his journey from football ground to the political arena, Eugeneson said, “To be honest this wasn’t the future I had planned for myself but God has other plans and obviously I have taken over this and I want to do my best.”

“Obviously it is a different field but there is always a starting point for everything and I hope the starting point will be fruitful and hope that in the coming years I will see that constituency gained a lot from me joining politics,” he added.

The UDP MLA also admitted that he would definitely miss football which has always been his passion.

“Football has always been in my blood since I was a kid but then we grew up and my playing career has come to an end and I have hung my boots and worn new boots which is here in the Assembly.”

Eugeneson also said there is not much difference between football and politics.

“I think there isn’t much difference because in football we have lots of discipline and we have to prepare ourselves alot before we go into matches so I think it is important for me to prepare to be discipline when I am n looking forward to serve my best for the constituency.”

He also assured that he would try his best to address the problems faced by the people of the constituency particularly road connectivity.

On the other hand, newly elected NPP legislator Pyniaid Sing Syiem said that he was very excited to be a member of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly.

“I am happy that I can serve the people of the constituency and the state of Meghalaya as an MLA,” he said.

Syiem, who is also currently the KHADC chairman, assured that he would try his level best to bring development to the constituency and take up issues concerning the people of the state which include the Inner Line Permit (ILP), boundary dispute and farmers issue in the Assembly.

The Mawryngkneng legislator also said that he would soon take up with the state government for speeding up the repairing of the dilapidated condition of the Shillong-Jowai national highway.

He further urged the state government to pursue with the central government on the proposed amendment of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India.

“We want that all the proposals of the three autonomous district councils and the state government should be taken into consideration by the central government,” he said.

When asked if he expected to get a cabinet berth, Syiem however said that it will depend on the party leadership.

“We are ready to serve even as MLA or anything that they will assign to me in the government. Whatever is being given, I will serve the people, I will give my hundred percent to any department or any portfolio,” he maintained.

Meanwhile, the newly elected Rajabala MLA Abdus Saleh lauded the performance of the NPP-led state government.

He said the effect of this could be seen in the just concluded bypolls. “The people love this government and therefore have voted for all three MLAs – 2 NPP and 1 UDP,” he added.

Saleh said that his top priorities include health care, roads and education besides taking up the issue related to flood. “I have already talked to the chief minister and he is very much interested in doing something for the people here,” he added.

The Rajabala MLA however refused to comment on the poll performance of the Congress.

“I don’t want to say anything, the only thing is that…now the constituency is being runned by the NPP government, people are much happier than the Congress led government,” he said.

On the Congress’ allegation about the use of money power, Saleh however said he has not seen that and asked if the Congress has any proof then why not they file a case.