Editor,
Although we kick- started our New year with wishes floating from all our near and dear Ones and made resolutions to see something new in one self but since the first day of 2017a feeling of insecure has gripped us on hearing the molestation case in Bangalore. Many argued that the sole reason behind the molestation is the way women dress. Then we had the mayhem in our state where ostensibly women enjoy their privileges to the fullest. The whole incident narrated by the victim who was repeatedly raped by different men reminds me of the television show ‘savdhan India.’ This wasn’t expected from a matrilineal society state in the country and to add a cherry to the, least of all from an MLA. A leader is meant to bring change for the better not to disrupt the societal tenor. One wonders where his moral values are? Didn’t that bit of mercy move him before the crime? This incident has gone to the scale of the ‘Nirbhaya’ case which had earlier shaken the nation! And now our very own Meghalaya is in the same boat. This shows that a mother, a sister, a daughter is no longer safe once she steps out of the house even in our very own state. One is horrified to read the daily headlines on rape and sexual abuse. Where else are women safe now?
Yours etc.,
Bracy Nongrum,
Via email
Unfair criticism of State BJP
Editor,
Criticism after an electoral defeat isn’t unexpected. That eminent columnists Aristotle Lyngdoh and Philip Marwein are penning down opinions of the party dissidents, is also very clear.The use of the words “Christian state” and Christian Vote bank”, in the respective article are highly objectionable and may tantamount to contempt of the Supreme Court’s recent judgment.
Our current President, Shibun Lyngdoh was chosen to lead the party after much introspection and due diligence lasting more than a year in order to bring a credible change in the BJP’s state committee. Earnest efforts were also made to take on board tall leaders with proven track records and a clean image. The state committee was formed giving representation to all the major and minor tribes as also general categories making it the only party in the state with such a balanced and broad based representation – the hallmark of a truly nationalist party.
All members of the state committee came with a clean state and without any past baggage. In fact many party loyalists who felt side-lined by the previous dispensation also made a comeback in the new committee. The thrust of BJP has been on a cadre based party rather than a personality based one, therefore the priority was to set up Mandal committees and Polling booth committees. Much of that task has been accomplished in the past year. The other focus area has been the membership drive wherein “any Tom, Dick & Harry” (to again quote Bah Aristotle) law abiding citizen of the country has been allowed to join the party. Fair chance is given to every member to prove their capability and seriousness based on which they are given party positions. But when expectations of taking short cuts into party positions are not met, dissidence is directed at the President or other office bearers.
The party’s result in the recent MDC bye election does not reflect lack of faith in the leadership. Neither has “demonetisation” had any effect as rightly acknowledged by both the esteemed columnists. It’s a well-known fact that neither the party nor the candidates all of whom were from very humble backgrounds spent any money. There have definitely been other shortcomings which thankfully have given us a timely chance for serious introspection and course correction.
Philip Marwein while questioning our credentials, social and political weightage, acumen and track record, also acknowledged that it took 25 to 30 years for people of Meghalaya to accept the Congress. For his kind information it took only 7 years for BJP to gain acceptance when 3 of our MLA’s were elected in 1998, while the party first contested only in the 1991 Lok Sabha polls. Effectively our party has not returned an MLA only once (in 2013) since then. Even in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls we led in 5 out of the 36 assembly segments of the Shillong seat. In the 2015 GHADC polls we returned 1 MDC and polled between 1300 votes to 9500 votes in the 6 seats we contested. Therefore acceptability of the party in the state of Meghalaya is unquestioned.
As for taking in Congressmen or defeated legislators, currently we have 2 from the UDP (one each from Khasi & Jainia Hills) , 1 from the NCP (Garo Hills) & 1 who fought his last two elections in Garo Hills as Independent, but no Congressmen. Let’s also not forget that defeated legislators who have also been in political exile for years can make a surprise comeback – case in point being the current Nongkrem MDC. So let’s not write off anyone or question the wisdom of the electorate.
Yes there are issues in all organisations and the leadership has to make the best of the limited resources both human & financial and do a fine balancing act in trying to keep everyone happy but it’s an arduous and almost impossible task. Dissension and fault finding in democratic political parties is only to be expected and to satisfy each ones’ aspirations a dream. People had multifarious problems with all previous dispensations; will continue to have them with the current one and rest assured all future ones too. The challenge is to move ahead and make a difference in people’s lives and in the environment that people live in, while taking one and all together.
Yours etc.
Gagann Jain,
Via email