‘Answers to M’laya’s problems lie in development’

Q. If you are contesting an election for the first time, how do you propose to tackle this electoral battle?
A: I am not really a first timer in poll battle. In 1994, I had contested in the district council elections, I was defeated by only 300 votes. I have experience in politics.
Q:  What is your main agenda in this election?
A: BJP believes in development. Look at the BJP-ruled states. They are peaceful, neither do they have agitations over various demands nor are there extremist groups. Here, the problem is that people are unemployed, they have little to do. The Congress-led government has totally mismanaged things. If the youths of Meghalaya get jobs and opportunities, there will be peace and development.
Q. If there is an NDA government in Delhi, how do you think it should tackle the burning problems in Meghalaya, like the ILP agitation in Shillong and insurgency in Garo Hills?
A: The answer again lies in development. What is the reason for the ILP agitation? Our own people are not getting jobs and opportunities. Even in smaller towns, people from outside are doing business. Shops and workshops are being run by outsiders. There is no job opportunity for the local people. The government is not interested. The question is how to bring up our own people to do their own jobs. Then, why will people come from outside? Our youths must be shown the right way, they must be engaged. If we are self-sufficient, then the issue of ILP will not arise.
Garo Hills suffer from lack of development, which could be a reason for insurgency and the demand for a separate Garoland state. But, people from Khasi and Jaintia Hills feel all the development has gone to Garo Hills. Actually, all the development has gone to Ampati. It is a problem of uneven development. Some places are deprived, some places are getting twice, thrice over. Development has to be evenly balanced. Here in Khasi Hills also, our youths are joining extremist groups. If the BJP is voted to power, we will call them for talks so that they can join the mainstream. There is no problem in that.
Q: There is so much damage to environment and health due to coal and limestone mining in the Jaintia Hills. Cement plants have also caused much damage. Is this a part of your election agenda?
A: Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. If limestone is extracted, there will be pollution. We have to find out ways to control and balance. I am not going to comment on the legality of these coal and limestone mines. These are all small-scale industry. They have to be brought under the rules and regulations of the government. Mining of coal is going on in private land held under the sixth schedule of the Constitution. The government has to ensure that the natural resources are not exploited too much and there is no damage to environment.
Q: Is it a fact that only outsiders are getting employment in these mines, and locals are being deprived?
A: We have to distinguish between outsiders who are coming from Bangladesh and insiders. If there is industry, people from all parts of India should be free to come. The government should frame rules to check infiltration and to enforce them strictly. These industries are in the private sector, but they should provide better opportunities for the people of Meghalaya. The Congress government is feeling shy to check infiltration because it is doing vote-bank politics.
Q: Do you think corruption is an issue in this election?
A: Corruption is certainly an issue, but it is a state issue. In this election we have to focus on national issues. But we shall have to include the issue of corruption also.   As far as education scam is concerned,   how is Ampareen Lyngdoh still continuing in this government?
Q: BJP did not field any candidate in the recently held district council elections in Meghalaya. Its participation in the last assembly election was also limited. BJP leader A. L. Hek joined Congress. Do you think you still have a support base to ensure your victory? Is there a RSS presence in Meghalaya?
A: We had members in the state legislature earlier like T.H Rangad among others. However, some of them like AL Hek had wanted to be with the ruling party and had joined Congress. But, council polls and assembly polls are different from Lok Sabha polls. Issues are different. The BJP-sponsored Bharat Bandh in 2012 against FDI in retail was totally successful in Meghalaya. People now want a change. Everyone is now chanting “Modi, Modi.”  We have organized ‘mandals’ in 30 of the 36 assembly segments in the Shillong Lok Sabha area. As far as the question of presence of RSS is concerned, I can only say that there is no presence of the outfit here.  And we are not going to take any support from RSS. BJP and RSS are two different entities.
Q: You are among the three richest candidates in the fray. How will you help the poor people of Meghalaya?
A: I had started as a driver, running the bus owned by my family. I have taken up employment in government also, in Meghalaya Electronic Development Corporation and in Public Service Commission. But, I left these jobs as I could not fit in. I have been in business, and in coal business also. Poor people are there everywhere. The BJP election manifesto has addressed the problem of poverty.
Q: Do you think BJP is communal?
A: This is a false propaganda aimed at damaging the image of BJP. Look at Goa and some other states ruled by the BJP. How can anyone say that BJP is communal?
Q: Do you think a likely change at the Centre will also bring a change in state politics?
A: Why not?  If there is a change at Centre, a change can take place in Meghalaya too

‘Empowerment of women tops my agenda’

The lone woman candidate Ivoryna Shylla had unsuccessfully contested the Assembly polls twice. Shylla who is the president of State BJP Mahila ( She is yet to relinquish the post)  is hoping to come out successful this time round.

Q:  You are the lone woman candidate contesting the election this time. What do you feel about the contest?
A:  Yes, it is true that I am the lone woman candidate. I also understand that I am contesting against seven male candidates including the sitting MP and sitting MLA. But this has not weakened my spirit and confidence. I am sure that I would be getting maximum women votes to ensure my victory. In the past, we elected  people who have failed to make any contribution towards the growth and development of the State.
Q: None of the candidates has spelt out anything on empowerment of women in their agenda. Have you included this in your election campaign?
A:  Yes, the empowerment of women tops my election agenda. During my election, I have spoken at length on this issue. With countries across the globe are talking about this issue of women empowerment, I think we should not be left behind. I am proud that I have come from a matrilineal society. I know that Meghalaya Government has done its bit to empower our women but still lots need to be done.
Q: You are contesting as an Independent. There are major players in this election. How will you assert yourself as distinct during the campaign?
A:  My only distinct is that I stand for the truth. I have no fear to compete against anyone. I know that I do not have the money like many of the influential candidates. But I have the honest will to serve the people with a right earnest.
Q: The political parties have failed to mention rampant cases of crimes especially rape against women and minors since the crime against women are on the rise?
A: I would not like to comment on the failure of the political parties to mention this very critical issue. But as a mother, I am really concerned about the growing atrocities against our young women especially rape. It is also for this reason that I have decided to contest since I can no longer be a silent spectator on the injustice done to the women folk. I want to raise my voice in the corridors of power at the Centre to provide special protection to our women in the State
Q: Do you think that the ruling Congress Government in the State has failed to protect the women and minors since the crimes against women are on the rise?
A: I am disheartened to see the failure of the State Government to convict those involved in these crimes. A police officer who raped two minor girls in the police station is still at large. This clearly reflects the present state of affairs prevailing in our State.
Q: Are you contesting for the first time or have you contested the Assembly polls before? What difference it makes to contest the Shillong Lok Sabha seat?
A: I had contested the Assembly elections twice. The first occasion I contested the Assembly election was in 1983 from Nangbah-Wahiajer constituency in Jaintia Hills from late Prof GG Swell’s party PDIC. Then I had again contested in 1993 from Laitumkhrah constituency on a BJP ticket.  It is after a gap of 21 years  that  have decided to contest with the  Lok Sabha election. The difference to contest the Lok Sabha poll is that it gives me a platform to present the State in the national politics.
Q: Why are you contesting as an Independent. Don’t you think that contesting from the party would have benefitted more?
A:  I have decided to contest as an independent since I do want to be under the command of anybody. I do not subscribe that by contesting from a political party I would benefit more. If I wanted to contest from any political party, I would have tried  for the BJP ticket being the State Mahila president. I want to be an MP of the people and not of any political party.
Q: Are you a dummy candidate of any of the contesting candidates. If yes, what are the reasons?
A: No, I am not a dummy candidate of any of the contesting candidates.
Q: Any other comments?
A:  My top agenda for this poll is that I would like to see the long pending inter-state boundary dispute between Meghalaya and Assam is solved at the earliest. I would like to be the mediator on behalf of the State Government to raise the issue of inter-state boundary dispute with the Centre. I would pursue with the Centre to implement the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in the State, creation of adequate employment opportunities for the youth of the State and I would like to highlight problems of the army personnel who are deputed along the international border like Kashmir. I always feel disheartened when I read the jawans and army officers being killed in line of duties.

The richest candidate is ‘for the poor’

Independent candidate Denis Siangshai denies that he is anyone’s dummy and is confident of victory this time. In the 2009 elections also he had contested as an Independent and lost.
Q:  You had contested the 2009 elections as Independent. Yet again you are contesting. What are your expectations and what difference you would be able to make this time in the election?
A: Yes I had contested in 2009 as an Independent Candidate and I got more than 7400 votes. This time I am very much better, people will surely elect me as their MP.
Q:  You are the richest candidate in the State. Do you think money power will be used in this election?
A: Money power might be or might be not used in this election but what I have observed in the Last MDC election is that money power is not useful. I think, money power will not be effective in this Lok Sabha election.
Q: What is your election agenda?
A: So far I have no specific agenda but there is only one agenda, all round development.
Q:  Your action plan for the next five years if your are elected?
A: If people elect me, I will do my best to solve any problem in the society. I will work  with people to socially and economically uplift them.
Q:  You are from Jaintia Hills which is plagued by the problems related to coal and lime stone mining. Crimes are also on the rise due to this. Are these part of your election issues?
A:  Getting pure water is one of the main problems in this area due to mining activities. Sufficient water supply is one of the main agenda.
Q: You are the richest candidate. What is your commitment towards the poorest of the State?
A: I am for the poor and the needy.  If I am elected, I will plan the best to help the poorest section of the society in our Khasi and Jaintia Hills particularly.
Q:  Are you a dummy candidate of Vincent Pala to ensure his victory?
A: No, no I am not. Nobody can make me a dummy candidate, this is not the first time I contested the LS election and my interest is to serve the people of the state.
Q:  Your comments on influx of migrants in the coal mines in Jaintia Hills? Is ILP a solution? Do you have any other comments to make?
A: All outsiders in Jaintia Hills will go back when coal is finished, they don’t have the right to buy a house or a plot of land. I am doubtful if ILP will help much but we can try. I have no other comments on this.

‘Congress is a large party, divisions may happen’

Sitting Congress nominee Vincent H. Pala who had won the Shillong Lok Sabha seat in 2009 by a handsome margin of 107,868 votes has to fight this time the prospect of sabotage within the party, apart from the declining fortunes of Congress. But, a multi-corner contest and the prospect of opposition votes getting split are likely to come to his help.
Q: Several poll predictions show bleak prospects for Congress. Do you think you will have an uphill task this time, particularly in fighting the anti-incumbency factor?
A: It is a perception, not reality, that Congress is facing bleak prospects. If you look at it, predictions were made even before parties had selected their candidates and nominations had been filed. How do you know who will win when nothing has been finalized? If there is a straight contest, then there may be one result. If there are three candidates, the story may be entirely different, because of division of votes.
Q: So, do you think you will have the advantage of opposition votes getting divided, when Shillong is witnessing an eight-corner contest and even the regional parties have more than one candidate in the fray?
A: It is an M.P. election and the scrutiny has just been over. The campaigning has hardly started.  Most of the candidates have not yet reached all over the constituency. The election scene is cool, unlike in a district council or an assembly election, they are not aggressive. So, it is very difficult to predict the outcome now. But, Congress has better network, better services. The party has units everywhere. So, Congress has a better edge than any other party. The networking of UDP is next only to that of Congress. So, according to the present experience, the first is Congress, next is UDP. But, UDP votes will get divided.
Q: What is your election agenda?
A: My agenda is the manifesto of the Congress party. Certain things in it relate to the public. There is emphasis on skill development. Training of youths is the top priority of the party. There is emphasis on healthcare, right to social security. Among the agenda specific to Shillong are pending work on national highways, airport and railways. There are a host of educational projects. We will have sanction for a medical college in Shillong, a NIT. The government will give more assistance to the IIM, which is already functioning.
Q: What are your achievements in the past five years as an MP?
A: We have managed to take up a number of infrastructure projects, the Shillong bypass, four-laning of Shillong-Guwahati highway. Construction of the 272-km Shillong-Nongstoin-Tura highway at a cost of Rs 1,490 crore, the biggest ever project in Meghalaya, is going on in full swing. The Jowai Bass work is also in full swing and the Jowai – Shillong road is being widened. NEGHRIMS is now functioning. Now that the construction has been completed and inauguration has taken place, it is now possible to buy machines. There is a full-fledged high court in Shillong. It is no longer the Shillong bench of Gauhati high court, as well as a regional passport office. Earlier, people had to go to the Guwahat RPO for their passports. We have taken up a number of irrigation schemes. Earlier between Rs 20 crore and Rs 30 crore used to be spent. Now we are spending Rs 100 crore a year. I am regularly monitoring different Central schemes, with the help of concerned MLAs and D.C.s.
Q: Will the delay on the part of the government to introduce ILP in the state affect your prospects?
A: ILP is not a new issue. As long as election is there, ILP will be there. It should not be a concern. It is not an issue in this election. It is a question of what is doable and what is not doable. It is still an issue concerning the state government. It would be an issue of the Centre when it is referred to the Centre. It has not yet reached the Centre. It was an issue in MDC election. Even then Congress emerged as the single largest party in KHADC. Personally, I think there is need to do a proper research, the tribals will have to be protected. Other genuine citizens should also not be harassed.
Q: Insurgency seems to be on the increase in Garo Hills. Youths are also joining HNLC. How should this situation be tackled?
A: As long as there is a problem of employment, there is gap between the rich and the poor, there will be insurgency. That’s why it is important to address the issues which are leading to insurgency and the Congress is trying that. The Chief Minister offered to some of the groups to negotiate.
Q: Whether the division in Congress for allotment of tickets for the Shillong seat will affect your performance?
A: There was a tussle for tickets initially. Last time, too, there were four to five contenders. Congress is a large party and such things can happen. But, we are all united now. Even John Kharshiing is working for us now. Out of the 36 assembly constituencies in the Shillong seat, in three to four places there may be rebellion, but overall it is not a problem.
Q: With many Congress MLAs expressing annoyance at your interference in the 2013 assembly elections, do you expect full support from them in your campaign?
A: As a politician, one is bound to have one’s hands here and there, but I did not interfere in selection of candidates in the assembly polls. This was done behind closed doors by Sonia Gandhi, Lapang and Mukul, I was outside. I was in London when the candidates’ list was announced. Had I backed independents, they would not have opposed my candidature in Delhi this time.
Q: The results of unscientific coal mining in the Jaintia Hills are damage to environment, crime and accidental deaths of miners.  Too many cement plants have also caused damage to environment. Are these parts of the election issues?
A: Environment is an issue. It is a cause of concern. The Centre has passed a mining policy, the State has to ensure that this is followed. Mining must be scientific. Exploitation of resources must also have a concern for the future. But the mining practice in Megalaya is better than that in other parts of the country, as these are all underground mines that don’t disturb the surface, whereas elsewhere it is open cast mining.
Q: With Congress governments in Meghalaya and Assam, why can’t the border dispute between the two states be settled?
A: The dispute is not between the two governments. It is there right from the formation of Meghalaya state. Lots of hard work will have to be done to settle this. Bangladesh and India can’t settle the issue of exchange of territories, as the question of land is involved.
Q: Since your UDP opponent Paul Lyngdoh is your relative through matrimony, if contesting against him will affect your family relations?
A: I have been asked by the party to contest, so also has been Paul. So, this is not going to affect family relations.