By Barry Kupar Rymbai
India is the world’s largest democracy. A few days are left before the presidential poll slated for July 19 this year. The electoral college will decide who will occupy the top-post of president in the country. Irrespective of party affiliations, the voting will be by secret ballot, as provided in Article 55 (3) of the Constitution of India. There are two contenders for the post, namely Pranab Mukherjee and Purno Agitok Sangma. While the first is the nominee of the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA), the latter is fielded by the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazagham (AIADMK) whose leader is Jayalalithaa, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, and the Bharitya Janata Dal (BJD) whose leader is Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister of Odisha.
Interestingly, Sangma is supported by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and some of its allies in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), though he was a member of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), a partner in the UPA-II at the Centre. The contention of Sangma was that NCP is a coalition partner of the UPA-II at the centre, whereas in some states, like Meghalaya, it is not so. In fact, NCP is the main Opposition Party and its Leader of Opposition (L.O.) is Conrad Kongkal Sangma, Purno Sangma’s son. The other son, James K. Sangma is also an MLA of Meghalaya. These combinations and permutations of political parties at the centre as well as in the states are quite an interesting feature and seem like a paradox to a common citizen. Obviously, Agatha Sangma, Union Minister of State and Thomas Sangma, Rajya Sabha are with the UPA.
However, in order to avoid any misconception and to pre-empt any action from the NCP, Purno Sangma resigned as a member of the parent party and also as a Member of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly. Hence, Purno A. Sangma contests the presidential election as an Independent candidate.
Many would agree with Sangma in that he is projecting the pride and prestige of the tribal population of the country, numbering about 100 million and constituting more than 8 (eight) percent of India’s total population. His claim to candidature for the highest post in the country is based on merit, experience and performance. Born in Chapahati village, West Garo Hills district, Meghalaya, his father died while he was still a child and so circumstances forced him to earn his livelihood as a child worker. Thanks to the Catholic Church which brought him up, sustained and educated him, he is what he is now.
After matriculating from Garo Hills, he came and studied in Anthony’s College, Shillong and was a Stephen hosteller until he graduated in Arts four years later. Then he went to Dibrugarh from where he got a Master’s Degree in Arts and Law. Starting his political career at the grass-root level, he subsequently became Meghalaya’s Chief Minister (1988-90), Union Cabinet Minister at the Centre before becoming Lok Sabha Speaker.
On the contrary, there are those who question Sangma, especially at the BJP that supports him. In our own state, many people still fondly cherish the memory of (L) Thrang Hok Rangad, for his ability, capability and courage to face the insurgent Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) when it was at its height. He dared to walk openly to the Polo Ground, Shillong, for celebration on Independence Day, followed by a contingent of faithful people from Laban and nearby localities en-route to the destination. Did people bother to ask about his political party? No….even to this day, his memory lives on.
The ruling Congress Party has sponsored presidential candidates from different spectrum. After all, our beloved country has manifested to the whole world about its uniqueness of “Unity in Diversity”. Muslims have become Presidents. So also a Sikh, whose population is less than that of the Christians. The present incumbent is a woman. In 1977, Jagjivan Ram, who was Union Defence Minister, quit the Indian National Congress (INC) led by the Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi. One of his contentions was that a Scheduled Caste (SC) or a Dalit could not hope to occupy the top posts in the country. Many pooh-poohed at his suggestions. Nevertheless, his complaint bore fruit many years later when a Dalit from Kerala made the dream come true.
Whether Sangma wins or not is not at all the question. Come what may, he has the audacity to think loudly and act like Jagjivan Ram, whose daughter, Meira Kumar, is at present the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. In a vast country like India, unless and until one makes noise loud enough, hardly anyone will notice. Sangma has shown the nation and indeed, the whole world the tenacity and the fighting spirit of the tribal community, which had been all along side-lined. Like all others of his kith and kin and fellow humans, Sangma may not be a saint but he is not a character as painted by his adversaries. It is time for fellow tribals to wake up and not to succumb to the ‘crab policy’ prevalent amongst us.
(The writer is Assistant Professor, St. Edmund’s College, Shillong)