By Patricia Mukhim
The presidential polls have succeeded to polarise people and political parties. It has also exposed the weak links in party politics and unsheathed the comic coalitions and political formations. It seems like we are pushed into a situation where all of us tribals must put our hands on our hearts and say, “I am tribal; I have a conscience and because I am a Christian, I shall also pray that everyone (MPs &MLAs) voting on the 19th of this month will jerk their otherwise slumbering conscience and allow it to vote on behalf of a fellow tribal. But God forbid if I am tribal with a liberal conscience and argue against PA Sangma’s candidature. There is a fair chance that I shall be ostracised from my community and be called a despicable traitor. Things have come to such a pass!
But from now until the D-Day we are treated to a drama, the likes of which we may not see in a long time. First, our MP Vincent Pala demolishes the claim of PA Sangma that he is being propped up by the Tribal Forum (a political formation of tribals from across India? Or the North East?) “There is no such Tribal Forum,” Pala tells inquisitive newspersons. So Conrad Sangma of the NCP (which incidentally is part of the UPA-II coalition) is hurt and affronted. He tells newspersons at another forum that it is wrong of Pala to say there is no tribal forum because there is one. Of course our scribes never asked Conrad to tell us who is part of that Tribal Forum and whether Pala is debarred from being member because he is a Congressman. We still have to figure this one out!
Then we have the United Democratic Party (UDP) a party in perpetual confusion about their moves. We’ve heard of smart moves but I am unsure if the UDP knows what a smart move is. The only move it makes is a populist one, hoping that the party will get to play the tribal, regional card in 2013. And what do you know? Before long the NCP in Meghalaya might just merge with the UDP to form a formidable state-wide party. For what else is left for the NCP here now that its strongman has abandoned it. Of course rumours have it that the BJP and the TMC are both wooing the Meghalaya NCP which is different from the Maharashtra NCP. So there’s no dearth of friends really for Mr PA.
Another issue that confounds is Kumari Agatha Sangma’s position. Is she or is she not part of the UPA coalition? Normally, even politics is played by a few rules, lest there be pandemonium. But in this case caution is thrown to the winds. The junior Rural Development Minister of India has allowed her residence to be the place for plotting all the presidential moves. It’s the kind of politics that defies logic and is played only in India. For now, the UPA seems to be indulging this ‘little girl’ who is also India’s youngest minister, but for how long?
I often wonder whether Mr PA does give his children the freedom to think independently. Conrad Sangma is an excellent young man with fine qualities of head and heart. Above all he is intelligent and therefore must be having a mind of his own. But does he ever get to say what he feels? Is it not time for the children who are now adults, to move out of ‘Papa’s’ shadow and chart out their own political futures? These are questions that many ask and want answers to. They also wonder how it is possible for an entire family to be of one mind in everything. Isn’t the Nehru-Gandhi family enough for one lifetime? And if we assert that we are tribals then there is no such thing as a dynasty or an hierarchy in our society is there? I also wonder if there is any space for dissent with the PA Sangma family. They could argue that it’s none of my business what they do as a family and the decisions they take. But it’s not my business only as long as they take a purely personal decision like what name to give to a baby and where to go for a holiday. But any decision having political ramifications does affect me. After all I am a citizen of this State. And I know that Meghalaya needs young blood and Conrad Sangma is that person who understands governance and other ideas of statecraft. Let’s face facts; Conrad is the only guy at the moment who can give Dr Mukul Sangma a run for his money if there was a competition involving intellectual callisthenics.
At the moment, though, Conrad is looking very much the injured victim, always having to defend Mr PA Sangma’s candidature at all possible platforms. The other day he looked visibly upset by what Dr Mukul Sangma said at a press conference in Delhi. Dr Sangma has been relentlessly contesting the idea that PA Sangma is supported by 100 million tribals. And I tend to agree with him because without a referendum, how do we really know how many tribals support Mr PA. Besides, political acumen dictates, that Dr Mukul Sangma should support Pranab Mukherjee since he is the UPA nominee. So it is really no surprise why Mukul Sangma is going hammer and tongs at Mr PA. But at this juncture when the tribal pride is riding high Mukul will also have to ensure that his MLA colleagues do not get carried away by the wave. This is imperative for his survival. It’s also a vote of confidence for him. It’s politics after all! So I was quite amused when I saw Conrad on television looking injured yet again and like a child saying, “I don’t know why Dr Mukul Sangma does not respect the sentiments of tribals and Christians. Why is he so jealous?” Grow up Conrad! This is real-politik not a game of marbles.
Funnily Mukul has not been able to persuade his major coalition partner the UDP to vote for Pranab Mukherjee. This is indication enough that the UDP is a slippery customer. They will share power but nothing beyond that. You would have thought that there are ethical dregs left even in the treacherous political terrain but evidently that is glaringly absent.
Ironically, very few in Meghalaya are really excited by this presidential race. For me personally, a president whether he/she is from Meghalaya or Timbuktoo makes no difference. But yes, like someone remarked wittily, Rashtrapati Bhavan would become a more accessible place if Mr PA were to occupy what is known as the Palace of Lutyens’ Delhi. However, we have in our midst, many who believe in symbolism. They are keen to see a tribal taking the salute on Republic Day. They feel proud that a tribal might soon be the commander in chief of the armed forces. And so on and so forth. It’s all about feeling good and it’s about being able to say that the President of India is from my home state. For those who need to feel good … so be it. But let not those who feel no thrill whether one or the other becomes the President of India, not be seen as turncoats and deserters. We have the right to have different viewpoints and also the right to maintain both our independence and our sanity in this stop-motion race.
And for those who are curious to know why PA Sangma has created the ‘tehelka’ of his lifetime, please buy a copy of Tehelka Magazine ( Vol 9; issue 27, Dated July, 7, 2012), titled, “Running One Race to Win Another.” The insightful reporter, Ratnadip Chowdhury says,“Sangma was on his way to oblivion in Meghalaya…….” Tehelka says PA Sangma is gearing up for the 2013 Assembly polls and the 2014 general elections and that he is testing the waters for a possible “Third Front,” to form the next government in Delhi. Smart moves Mr PA Sangma! I hope you become President so it brings to an end your saga of unending politicking and gives your children a breather! Alas! I am no voter and I cannot even tell my MLA to vote for you because she will not listen to me.