By Phrangsngi Pyrtuh
The state of Meghalaya has progressed very little since it achieved statehood in 1972. Changes if any have only happened in the last few years with dollops of centrally aided massive projectz such as the JNNURM, NHAI for assets creation and through MGNREGS and other poverty targeted schemes generously donated by the central government to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The Congress Party has ruled the state for more than any other (regional and non-congress) party combined. And the reign mostly coincides with the parent party ruling at the centre. The existence of a parallel government at the centre is ideally a blessing for which the state government could have optimized avenues available to direct attention for the development of the state. This was not to be of course and the track record has been nothing but wasted opportunities. Had it not been for the push that the UPA government initiated (compelled by coalition politics) we may still be slumbering as a state with nothing to boast of. It is indeed sad that we have not stamped our name on the development roadmap of India nor have we made significant contribution in terms of social consciousness or new political ideas. Political development especially in the last few years have been nothing but a big joke making us a laughing stock in national politics while all development efforts that are visible are regurgitated externally with no link to realities on the ground below. What we needed 20 years ago surely is no longer the same today. Similarly projects and schemes that were initiated 20 years ago cannot be implemented now since the dynamics has change.
A party in power for too long slackens development and pulls the plug on a viable alternative structure. The uninterrupted rule of the Left Party in West Bengal or the long innings of Lalu Prasad Yadav in Bihar are prime examples of political parties being at the helm of power longer than desirable. The uninterrupted mandate of the incumbent party in such cases is more of a political and social hangover for lack of an alternative. Only a charismatic leader can turn the tide which Nitish Kumar managed in the case of Bihar and Mamata Banerjee to some extent in the case of West Bengal. In Meghalaya the continuity of a particular kind of government (structure) which in this case is always the Congress has forestalled the emergence of an alternative structure. It is no credit to the Congress that it manages to rule the state for a substantial period of time. That credit goes to the regional parties who are always fighting their own demons when in fact they should have dislodged the national party from power like all regional parties have in different parts of the country. Does this absolve the regional party from all responsibility- for the suffering that the state is subjected to now? They may have done far more damage, in a short span of time, than the national party in the last 40 years and most of it is self harm with adverse effects on the state.
Essentially Regional parties recognize that there exists an identity crisis which the National parties do not always subscribe to and to this extent the former is more favored by the local electorate. The rise of regional parties have always been because of the problems related to identity and cultural integrity. However identity politics has not made inroads in state politics except for few stray cases which does not change the overall picture. In fact the regional parties have time and again been seen to be hob-nobbing with the Congress and colluding in power struggle. By refusing to sit and become an effective opposition party and instead rub shoulders with the Congress, the regional parties ( read UDP) have committed a political suicide and lost their integrity. Do we trust a person who attempted suicide? Certainly not and so is the case with the electorate’s disenchantment with our regional parties.
Things will only change if the political situation changes because clearly the party (read Congress) that had ruled the roost has failed us miserably. In fact we should brace for the worst if the Congress forms the next government because unlike in the older days the Congress is now run like a corporation. The winnable factor (read profit) has become the mantra of the party to decide on ticket allocation. The entry of powerful businessmen and crore-patis shall squeeze the state dry. Politics legitimizes corruption because corrupt politiciana who sell the state for peanuts have political impunity as per the law. The Constitution has made politicians ‘untouchables’ and shielded them from any criticism. They are of blue blood and therefore more like Gods. By entering politics these biz guys hope to fast track their wealth creation projects because it’s the only way to cloak the loot as legitimate.
There is a disturbing game playing out in the corridors of power. This game is ‘Who wants to become the richest?’ This game is being played out by both the national and regional parties. So intense is this game that the need for accumulating undisclosed wealth has compelled our leaders to throw their wives, brothers, cousins, sons and daughters to block all avenues and checkmate rivals for maximum spoils.
I don’t mean to glorify our past leaders vis-à-vis the current political class. They have failed us for their lack of foresight but the present breed of political leaders will betray (and sell) us for their clamour for wealth and unquenchable thirst for greed and we are aiding them by taking part in the electoral rigmarole of voting which is controlled and monopolized by God like men (and sadly woman). Long live the Land that know less of men and more of God.