By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: After the Pynthorumkhrah MLA, AL Hek, recently said that the key to winning election depends on two Ps – personality and performance – and not political affiliation, the voters of his constituency have expressed reservation over his mantra. According to the voters, if the party did not matter to him he should not have joined the Congress.
A resident of Pynthorumkhrah, Lalit Pradhan, observed that it is totally wrong to say that party affiliation does not matter. “He has won thrice on a BJP ticket and there is no logic in saying that Meghalaya does not follow party based politics.”
“After winning thrice on a BJP ticket, the legislator shifted his allegiance to the Congress. So he knows it very well which party the constituency has been voting for,” said Pradhan.
According to others, very few initiatives were taken up by the legislator for the development of this constituency. The voters also are skeptical of his comment that political affiliation does not matter in the State.
Echoing him, an eatery owner said that the people of Laban voted TH Rangad consecutively and after his demise his wife was voted to power. “Performance mattered to persons like Late Rangad who chose a party like the BJP. When people go to vote, they remember the candidate and the party he represents more than anything else,” he said. He also said that if Pynthorumkrah has voted him (Hek) thrice to power then he should not get lost in his performance only since it also reflects the party he represents.
A Nongmynsong resident, Mindalyne Nongbet, observed that it remains to be seen who will win the Pynthorumkhrah seat.
Arvind Kumar, a teacher who has combated severe flood situation in this constituency, said that the legislator has not been able to find a permanent solution to the littering of the Shillong Golf Course and the recurring flood situation in the area during monsoon.
According to some voters, the lanes and roads of the constituency which is thronged by people are in bad shape and there is perennial water crisis besides irregular PDS supply.