Meghalaya chief minister backs Indian Idol aspirant Amit Paul
Brand envoy badge for Amit
- Meghalaya chief minister backs Indian Idol aspirant Amit Paul
OUR CORRESPONDENT
Lapang holds up a poster urging people to vote for Amit in Shillong on Wednesday. Picture by Eastern Projections
Shillong, Aug. 29: When he sang, the nation applauded and his home state dropped communal differences to drum up support for the voice that did it proud.
Meghalaya's favourite Indian Idol 3 contestant, Amit Paul, will now don the mantle of brand ambassador for the hill state.
Chief minister D.D. Lapang today announced that the government was finalising Amit Paul as the Meghalaya brand ambassador for peace, communal harmony and excellence.
"I am very proud of Amit Paul and his success proves that music breaks barriers of hatred. He has brought unity in diversity," Lapang said.
The Shillong Music Arts and Lovers' Forum had earlier approached Lapang to gather support for the young singer.
Today, Lapang convened a meeting — attended by ministers Debora Marak, Zenith Sangma, Nehlang Lyngdoh, chief secretary Ranjan Chatterjee, additional chief secretary W.M.S. Pariat, additional directors-general of police Anil Pradhan and B. Kezo and members of the arts forum — where he promised all support to help Paul bag the coveted crown.
The chief minister appealed to the residents of Meghalaya to vote for Amit to brighten his chances for a shot at the title.
Calling Amit a symbol of communal harmony, Lapang said people from all communities in the state have been voting for him. He also released posters of the Northeast's newest pin-up boy during the meeting.
"I had spoken to my counterpart in West Bengal to drum up support for Amit Paul," said chief secretary Ranjan Chatterjee. West Bengal, however, has its own candidate — Prashant Tamang — a constable with Calcutta Police. As Friday's elimination round approaches, Amit's fans and the government are making frantic efforts to ensure that he gets sufficient votes to make him the frontrunner.
Lapang has also asked his ministers to speak to BSNL officials to reduce SMS tariffs so that more people can send in their votes.
Ganesh Kartikeya
