July 19 is the day of reckoning for PA Sangma. There is nothing he has not done to win the support of all MLAs and MPs across the country even while being very clear in his mind that he is fighting a futile battle in a political firmament where only numbers make sense. Sangma’s alignment with the BJP became an alibi for Mamata Banerjee to lean on the side of the UPA, “much against my will,” as Didi says. That being the case it became evident that the UPA win is “all clear.” But there is still that doubt that Sangma’s appeal for conscience votes might, after all, work in his favour and become the miracle win that he is hoping for. Conscience however is a term that is as ambiguous as a chameleon especially in the realm of politics. If MPs and MLAs had conscience would politics be the depraved profession that it has now become? If conscience was the guiding force would there be such a dearth of honest, sincere, hard working and responsive leaders? Would India have had a 2-G scam if A Raja acted out of conscience for the larger good of the country? Would Mayawati who represents the most deprived class, amass so much money for herself even while those she represents are left in the boondocks? Conscience and politics therefore are immiscible. Each is antagonistic to the other. Conscience seems like the last appeal of a desperate man who hopes to stir that ‘still small voice’ amongst India’s political class.
Once Pranab Mukherjee is ensconced in Rashtrapati Bhavan, PA Sangma too will have to recalibrate his political future. What happens to the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) that his three children are still part of? Will he return to the fold? Will Sharad Pawar and others have him back? Such political somersaults are not unknown for this maverick that has succeeded to place Meghalaya in the consciousness of the average Indian, irrespective of whether he wins or loses. The word ‘Tribal’ entered the country’s lexicon like never before. This presidential poll also exposed the dilemma of the BJP which saw in Sangma a ready-made candidate. The BJP found that a consensus had eluded them after former president APJ Abdul Kalam refused to be part of their kite-flying game. After this, all eyes are on 2014. What sort of political combination will emerge is anyone’s guess. For now the UPA still seems like it has not lost the reins to steer the chariot forward.