By Phrangsngi Pyrtuh
In Shakespeare’s classic play Julius Caesar while leading the first triumvirate, was murdered by close friends to keep Rome a democratic republic on the ides of March. This event is memorable for the iconic agonizing word from Caesar “Et Tu Brute” (You too Brutus) referring to Brutus his close friend among one of the conspirators. The more I think of this play the more I am prevailed to concur to the drama occurring right in our doorstep- the hullabaloo surrounding the most coveted position at the KHADC and the agony of being Ardent Miller Basawiamoit. The political situation in the Council resembles the political uncertainty of Rome during Caesar’s days. The dissidents allege that the CEM’s style of working is dictatorial which has adversely affected the ruling conglomeration of ARPA -a triumvirate of sorts comprising three parties led by the HSPDP, the UDP and the KHNAM. The coalition was quickly stitched together to keep the Congress at bay. Why this coalition would last its full term, reinforced by the Alliance partners, given the history of fickle coalition politics in Meghalaya is anybody’s guess. The writings are on the wall and the fissuring cracks guarantee that the days of the Alliance are numbered. And all of this is taking place at the same time when the ruling Congress led MUA government is also facing the heat from a dissident group. Surely there is more to this than meets the eye.
A word or two about the man that has grabbed more attention and public space than the Chief Executive head of the state (who is also gunning some brownie points from the pubic with his grand vision of Times Square in Shillong). The KHADC CEM has gained a legion of fans for his no-nonsense style of working, purportedly to fix accountability and transparency in the Council. One only has to go a few public forums on Facebook to understand the “Ardent wave” which has gained wide acceptance especially from the working class, the frustrated and disenchanted youths. There are few events in the history of the Jaidbynriew that has caught the attention of the public (led by one man) as much as this one. The last time as far as I can remember was the KSU MBOSE movement headed by the then President Paul Lyngdoh. While the two leaders may not see eye to eye one cannot deny their knack for keeping their audience in awe with fiery speeches laced with pseudo-patriotism. Ardent may meet the fate of Caesar and resign but unlike any CM/CEM caught in the toppling game by resigning gracefully, he would assume the role of Anthony (soon after Caesar’s fall) and rally them to his side and vent the public anger on his partners instead.
Time and again Ardent has outwitted his peers by taking his fight to the public as evident during the Public declaration on Iewduh, while the recent public show of strength at the Council’s office to support his continuance as the CEM has upset the applecart of few rookies mainly from the UDP. Suddenly it does not seem easy to dislodge the CEM. Just like Anthony in Shakespeare’s play, Ardent has whipped up that most basic of human instincts – emotions – and gained public sympathy by admitting to mistakes and then justifying why those mistakes had to be made. And like Anthony he has won the hearts of not only his supporters but those sitting on the fence. This has accelerated support from different organizations. In the process, though, he has also picked up an old sensitive issue which has been the bone of much communal strife in the city, that of the sweepers lane colony. It is surprising that Ardent fails to understand history but maybe this is his last trick to reassert himself among his followers/acolytes -the tribal market vendors. This is done seemingly for the Jaidbynriew which is again debatable as pointed out by Kong Patricia Mukhim in one of her recent articles. One must note that the Council is now seen as the savior of the Jaidbynriew (with Ardent at the helm) which has not been the case all this while.
Post the Iewduh Public Declaration many non-tribal vendors were uprooted along the lanes and by-lanes of Iewduh only to be replaced by tribal vendors. As the Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyndoh uttered later, what’s the difference? The roads and footpaths have not been reclaimed for the public. Does Ardent even care for those pedestrians who are forced out of the footpaths to walk on the dangerous vehicle- packed roads of this commercial hub? His solution to shift the vendors from the Motphran bridge to the Sweepers lane came a few days after the Vendors refused to budge (a U-turn from the earlier guarantees that they would). Is there some collusion at work here? Can we have solutions to reclaim public space/roads/pedestrians’ right from Motphran to Police Bazar? These issues have the greatest impact on the greatest numbers, something which most of our leaders do not seem to comprehend.
But facts will remain facts and history will be written long after this charade is over. This is definitely a wonderful opportunity for the Council being led by a dynamic and gritty politician. He could have exemplified positive and progressive policies by going for a course correction inflicting the larger jaidbynriew. One of this is to break free from parochialism and outdated tradition such as the ones proclaiming the sacredness of Iewduh to appease a certain class. The direction being led so far is not in sync with global mantra of governance and new public management. Yet we are still being fed doses of the glorious infallible past (sotti juk) where the Jaidbynriew lives in complete harmony with the world. Sadly some of our leaders and organizations are adamant to push us to that once trodden path. The end result to get there is going to destroy the unity of the Khasi-Jaintia community.
The present CEM may not see his term last but he may yet stage a comeback (on public demand) with an emotionally surcharged rhetoric at the public meeting soon. And when that does happen his legion of supporters would like him to have total control of the Council. Coincidentally, Rome after Caesar’s fall got its first Emperor vested with supreme powers. History not only repeats itself but is a great teacher indeed.