Editor,
One of the issues/agenda that sitting MLA candidates are using to woo voters for the soon to be held assembly election is by blowing their trumpet about the ‘good works’ they have done either through their MLA schemes or other schemes in their capacities as MLAs, ministers et al. To the general public, this sounds plausible because it shows that the candidate has performed his/her duty. In fact, this trumpet blowing is not confined only to public political platforms and house meetings but is aired through the media as well. Just to substantiate this, there is a display of gratefulness from one S Khongjee of Mawlai Iewrynghep on the ‘good work’ done by F.S.Cajee as the MLA of Mawlai constituency in the past five years (Mawphor 14th February 2013). That may be just be a bit out of the many bits that the honourable MLA might have done. There may be many more such ‘good works’ mentioned in the newspapers that cannot be cited here.
It is interesting to note that not only sitting MLAs but other MLA wannabes and their political gospellers also tethered their campaign on MLA schemes by telling people not only the dark side of the story of the implementation of such schemes but also counter-claiming the facts and figures given by the former. For example, the KSU in the public awareness programme conducted in Mylliem highlighted that more than 1.30 crore of the MLA scheme of Mylliem constituency of the last five years remained unused till date (Mawphor 12th February 2013). This is not to level that the KSU campaigns for anyone in Mylliem but it’s a mere public awareness of the Union that happens to coincide with election time. Such campaigns and counter debates are very important before elections and in fact democracy thrives on it, but there is a problem here because the people cannot decide which one is correct out of the two views. In the political shadow-boxing before or after elections, it is people who are at the receiving end. In the juncture of political debate over the implementation of MLA schemes in the state people are not convinced but confused because they are getting two contrasting views (verbal reports) on the same. Thus the speeches/writings that are supposed to enlighten people only leaves them more confused because they are getting it in contradictory piece-meals and disorderly tid-bits and that at the eleventh hour.
May we therefore request the honourable MLAs (MPs, MDCs) to kindly account for the implementation of their various schemes including their contribution to legislation annually or bi-annually or towards the end of their tenure as representatives? Let it come in black and white as the Mawprem MLA has done. This is in public interest. It will not only authenticate the data but may become a badge of honour. One cannot clean others if he himself is still in the mud. If the candidates dare to give the electorate their promise cards (manifestoes and assurances) why don’t they care to give them their report cards after ruling/governing for five years? We the Indian electorates are missing one very important thing in our democracy and that is the right to recall our non-performing representatives and hence democratic accountability does not seem to make much sense here.
Yours etc…
Airpeace Rani
Shillong-4
Battle between fans and youth
Editor,
I am a voter of the 32-Nongstoin AC, and one thing that I’ve observed about this particular constituency is that Hopingstone Lyngdoh has few supporters and mostly die-hard fans. He does not require extensive campaigning like others because no matter what, his fans will always vote for him. I’ve also observed that most of his die-hard fans are elderly people and some youth (I’ve met some youth who are). I can say with certainty that the secret of his success is because of this large fan base.
This year’s election is going to be a battle between his fans and the youth (who are not his fans). Who will win? Only time will tell.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request