From CK Nayak
NEW DELHI: North East has become ‘Congress Mukt’ with its last bastion Mizoram gone out of its hand but its unexpected win in the Hindi heartland comprising major states has set alarm bells ringing in the ruling MDA led by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma of NPP.
Whatever might be the poll results, at the Centre it is unlikely that BJP will be able to form the next government with the same strength it has today. The result and post-poll alliances with major regional parties like BSP and SP in the heartland have also rejuvenated the frail Congress that will take on BJP and its NDA partners like NPP with full strength in the near future.
The win has also boosted the morale of Congress leaders and workers in Meghalaya.
The growing differences within the MDA particularly over setting up candidates for the two Lok Sabha seats have also weakened the coalition though its leaders have maintained that decisions of the partners will not affect the alliance.
In less than half a year to the polls, the ruling coalition is facing a tough time deciding the common candidates, including in Purno Sangma’s fortress Tura.
The UDP, which defeated the NPP in the last Assembly polls with the tacit help of the Congress, is in an aggressive mood. The party also has the distinction of forming the government with any combination for a long time.
It seems by all accounts, in Meghalaya, the Lok Sabha polls will witness multi-cornered contest giving clear advantages to the revived Congress.
Leave alone regional parties, even BJP has not given up the idea of leaving the Lok Sabha seats to NPP or any other regional party since each seat will count for the national party to come back to power at any cost.
BJP sources point out that NPP, which is a major coalition partner in the North East and is in the ruling in Manipur and Meghalaya, did not fight in alliance with the BJP or the victorious MNF in Mizoram.
But apart from division within the coalition partners, cracks seem to have growing up within the NPP mainly in Khasi-Jaintia Hills where its presence was negligible earlier but stronger now.
Home Minister James Sangma and former chief minister Mukul Sangma had a serious spar on the floor of the Assembly during its last session regarding the law and order situation in Meghalaya.
The situation under the MDA regime has also come under scrutiny in the Union Home ministry here.
Besides, the rapid deterioration, in law and order, the communal strife at Harijan Colony and the recent murderous attack on activists have pressed the panic button at the Centre. The ongoing mine disaster has also put the government in a tight spot.