Incepted in 2002 by founding member Paul Lyngdoh as a movement to usher in a Incepted in 2002 by founding member Paul Lyngdoh as a movement to usher in a change in the wake of “failed promises” by political parties, the Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM), one of the five regional parties contesting the 2018 Meghalaya Assembly elections, is still firm on its vision to check illegal immigration and solve the inter-state boundary and border issues. Now under a different but more focused, and more importantly, “selfless” dispensation after its founding member had dissolved the party in 2011, the party says it will go by its motto, “Mission with a Vision” to bring about an awakening and unity among both indigenous tribal and genuine non-tribal population of the state. KHNAM working president Adelbert Nongrum, who is also an elected member of district council from Jaiaw constituency, says the party has weathered the “storm” to build a movement for change since its dissolution by its founder leader who had formed and “deserted” KHNAM for fulfilling his “own vision” as opposed to a vision that is for the future of Meghalaya. Nongrum, who had served as a member of the Khasi Students’ Union before taking responsibility as a leader of the regional party, also says that KHNAM is not against development but simultaneously wants the existing laws to protect the identity and rights of the indigenous people of the state.Saurav Bora caught up with the 40-year-old leader at the party’s office at Jaiaw on Monday evening.
Here are the excerpts of the interview:
ST: KHNAM is an offshoot of the Khasi Students’ Union formed with the objective of protecting the indigenous people. Apparently, even after almost 15 years of its formation, the regional party has not quite grown in Khasi-Jaintia Hills. Why?
Nongrum: Well… Our founding member Bah Paul Lyngdoh had at the time of the party’s inception, made promises of ushering in a change that the other parties failed to bring. But even after 10 years of his leadership, people could not see that change. So I would say that it was the failure of our founder-leader to fulfil the promises that has affected the party.
ST: What led to the dissolution of KHNAM by its founder Paul Lyngdoh ahead of the 2013 Assembly elections?
Nongrum: Apparently, Bah Paul had dissolved KHNAM forcefully…just a few months before the 2013 elections. He wanted to take advantage of the situation, and perhaps, fulfil his own vision, rather than what the motto of the party stood for… (political awakening)…He thereafter joined UDP. At that time, apart from myself, there were three elected MDCs who shifted allegiance and joined other parties. So I was the lone MDC at that time. But we fought back and 11 months later, the Election Commission of India recognised us as a political party, just a month before the polls.
ST: There is a thought in the minds of people that with the party currently not having any MLA, it will not be able to have much influence. What is your view?
Nongrum: Not really….people have elected us as MDCs in the past…so they have faith in what we are trying to do…So while we may not have legislators, we believe in having quality leaders. We just had a month to prepare before the 2013 elections. But I believe we gave a tough fight to our opponents.
ST: Why has the UDP-HSPDP alliance not invited you to be a part of them?
Nongrum: Unofficially (through the media) they had invited us to be a part of their alliance….They are for unity of the regional parties. But we have made it clear that, we too, believe in such a unity but it has to be objective and issue based… one that suits our ideology. We have also sought a written assurance from the alliance in this regard. But now, there is no question of a pre-poll tie-up as the UDP-HSPDP alliance has already announced their seat-sharing plan for the elections.
ST: The regional alliance says it is ready to work with the BJP after the polls. Do you have a similar plan?
(Contd from P-1) We have seen from our experience that in the past, parties have tried to fulfil their expectations. But KHNAM has to fulfil the expectations of the people. Our stand is very clear… whoever is in power, if they need us, they have to align with our vision.
ST: Can you spell out more about your Vision Document in a nutshell?
Nongrum: We are looking at checking influx and illegal immigration, solving the border/boundary disputes, implementation of inner-line permit so that the identity and rights of both indigenous tribals and genuine non-tribals are protected. Besides, we are looking at, among other pertinent issues, ensuring an education system that generates employment, putting in place a reservation policy for local people and creation of infrastructure.
ST: You had few MDCs including P T Sawkmie elected from KHNAM after the polls to KHADC in 2014, but they all deserted the party. Do you feel that there should be anti-defection law in the District Councils to prevent shifting of allegiance?
Nongrum: Yes…an anti-defection law is very much needed in a democracy.
ST: Why are you opposing the rail link to Byrnihat/Shillong?
Nongrum: See…regarding rail link, we would like to make it very clear that we are not against development. It is needed with time. But as a matter of fact, we are more concerned about the protection of our identity. Both tribals and genuine non-tribals, have to be protected. The existing laws do not serve purpose. We need to come out with a clear-cut policy in this regard. Our rights cannot be snatched in the name of development.
Besides, we are also concerned about the environment and the pollution that railways may bring along with it.
ST: How many seats are you contesting and how many are you expecting to win?
Nongrum: As of now, there are four ticket aspirants…There will be three more. But roughly, it would be about ten. We are looking to win all the seats we contest…Given the limited number (of seats the party will be contesting), we have to…(Smiles)
ST: What do you have to say about the incumbent government in Meghalaya?
Nongrum: You see, in terms of solutions to the inter-state boundary and border (Bangladesh) problems, the incumbent government has failed completely. As a matter of fact, it has failed on all fronts…It has not been able to come out with policies in education, tourism, mining or health sectors.
ST: Lastly, what will be the outcome of the elections?
Nongrum: People will definitely vote for a non-Congress government…already there is an anti-incumbency wave…