Shillong: All India Trinamool Congress MLA from Dadenggre, Rupa M. Marak, has accused the state government and district authorities of intentionally sidelining him from government functions in his own constituency.
Marak told reporters that while government programmes are meant to be non-political and inclusive of all elected representatives, he has repeatedly been left out despite being the sitting MLA.
“Every representative has a constitutional right to be present. These are not party events,” he asserted.
Citing multiple examples, he said the newly inaugurated Jengal Police Station was opened without any information being shared with him.
The foundation stone ceremony for the Ringgi Bridge also went ahead without him, though the former MLA was invited.
He added that he had to rely on friends to even learn about a major state-level signing ceremony.
After arriving at the event on his own, the Chief Minister allegedly had to rearrange the schedule to allow him to speak.
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Marak questioned whether his exclusion was linked to his vocal interventions in the Assembly.
“Is this because I raise the problems of my people? If I don’t speak up for them, what is the point of being their MLA?” he said.
The opposition legislator also criticised what he called the “double standards” of the government, noting that while the chief minister accuses opposition members of blocking development, they are simultaneously barred from public programmes tied to that very development.
Declaring that he will continue to advocate for his constituency without fear, Marak said, “Politics should be fought during elections, not by shutting out elected representatives from governance. You cannot silence me.”
