From Saurav Bora
GUWAHATI: Political and social circles expect the NPP-led coalition government in Meghalaya to deliver the goods, and more importantly, ensure stability, unlike the alliances of the past.
“We are hoping for stability in the next five years. It is important that a coalition government should have both national and regional parties who must work together,” PDF president, Ivanlumlang Marbaniang told The Shillong Times on a day when the Conrad Sangma-led coalition government was sworn in at Raj Bhawan in Shillong.
The NPP-led coalition comprises BJP and regional parties such as UDP, PDF and HSPDP. Apart from NPP and BJP, three UDP MLAs, two from PDF and one legislator from HSPDP were inducted as ministers in the state Cabinet on Tuesday.
While good governance and development has been promised by chief minister elect, Conrad Sangma, it is imperative that the two objectives are linked very strongly with stability.
Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM), which won a seat (North Shillong) in the Assembly elections, is also hoping for more than just development, which has been the narrative of most parties.
“There are several issues like powers of traditional bodies, ILP and rights of indigenous communities, lack of policies, etc, which have to be considered by the new dispensation. That’s apart from the commitment for good governance and stability, which are key for development,” Adelbert Nongrum, the working president of KHNAM, said.
Nongrum, who had contested from KHNAM and won in North Shillong constituency, said the leader of the coalition government would have to be very strong and tactful in his approach. “The previous government was too busy in reshuffles and differences. But we expect the new dispensation to be stable,” Nongrum said.
PDF president, Marbaniang said the party hoped to take its three-pronged agenda of land rights, powers of the dorbar and amendment of MUDA bylaws to its logical conclusion. “The fight will be on and there will be no compromise,” he asserted.
The BJP, which has made inroads in Meghalaya, albeit with just two seats, has been consistent on development as its main agenda. But in all fairness, neither a standalone regional coalition nor a national party can expect to deliver the goods in the long run in Meghalaya. “National parties have to understand the aspirations and sentiments of indigenous communities, particularly in a state like Meghalaya. They have to work in tandem with regional parties and look at the local issues,” said a political analyst here.
