By Our Special Correspondent
MAWKYNREW: Many ordinary commuters were left stranded as all public transport from taxis to buses and trucks etc have been requisitioned by rural candidates. A lady from Jongksha whose daughter had to reach St Margeret’s School at all costs tried in vain to hitch a ride to Shillong. Remington Pyngrope, UDP candidate must have requisitioned at
least 20 buses, 30 taxis and another 20 trucks plus other smaller vehicles for his rally at a huge maidan in Jongksha. Men women children were seen shouting slogans,”Ha ka bom” (On the drum).
A little distance away from Pyngrope’s rally, Independent candidate Banteidor Lyngdoh was also waiting for his convoy of vehicles but they were nowhere near his rival Remington Pyngrope’s in strength and numbers. Lyngdoh said that most of those who took the joyride were not voters of that constituency but were mobilised as a show of strength since Pyngrope had failed to capture the imagination of voters.
Whereas in the city electioneering is low key, in the rural areas life seems to have come to a standstill as everyone is excited about attending the rallies where besides being picked up by vehicles people are also given a free lunch and perhaps money as well. Many of those spoken to in Mawkynrew constituency said they were disillusioned with
Pyngrope as he had promised mush but done almost nothing for the Constituency. They were of the view that the fight would be between Martle Mukhim of the Meghalaya Democratic Party (MDP) and Banteidor alis Paidang Lyngdoh.
Mawkynrew constituency is a dreary stretch of bald hillocks for miles around. The top soil of large stretches of this area is denuded and it appears to be headed for quick desertification unless some radical measures are taken for a rapid re-afforestation programmes. A visitor to the Constituency wondered if the State Forest Department is even aware of this rapid denudation in this part of the East Khasi Hills.
Political parties have only paid lip service to environmental concerns and this apathy is showing across the state from Jaintia Hills to East and West Khasi Hills and Garo Hills.
In 13 Mawryngkneng constituency of the 6 candidates in the fray the fight now appears to be between UDP and former PWD engineer Highlander Kharmalki and Pynehborlang Mukhim of the Congress, a textile engineer by qualification. David A Nongrum the rebel Congress candidate and son of Speaker Charles Pyngrope is going all out to woo voters with huge promises. Allegations are rife that a lot of money is being splashed around.
In a State where local issues take precedence, the issue in Mawryngkneng is more about whether the candidate is from within the constituency or an ‘outsider’ meaning one resident outside the constituency. People of the area still feel let down by Charles Pyngrope who abandoned them to contest from Nongthymmai.
Interestingly in 22 Nongkrem Constituency, Ardent Basaiawmoit who shifted his allegiance from the UDP to HSPDP is having s tough fight with Lambor Malngiang of the Congress. While Ardent is loudly stressing about clean elections at every platform and asking supporters to refrain from voting for money, Malngiang is making a silent march. Voters opine that the UDP candidate Draison Kharshiing might cut into Ardent’s vote bank substantially and that might make it easier for Malngiang to return.
Coming to 24 Mawphlang Constituency, Kennedy Khyriem of the Congress managed to get a huge turn-out at his election rally at Mawngap on Wednesday. But over-all the election campaign in this Constituency is low key. There are no flags of any candidate flying on roof tops. Nor are people ready to give out anything. All they say is that JA Lyngdoh the UDP candidate and former MLA and Minister is not likely to have a cake walk this time around.