Former MLA from Nongthymmai and UDP senior leader Jemino Mawthoh, who is contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha polls from Shillong parliamentary constituency as a common candidate of the MDA, is quite confident of winning as he is banking on the strength of the MDA government. The former MLA started campaigning in the nook and corner of the constituency even before the MDA declared him as the common candidate.
The UDP leader is keen to fulfil the aspirations of the people if elected as MP. According to him, MPs, MLAs and MDCs should work together to resolve the issues of the state. Busy campaigning on the outskirts, Mawthoh took questions from Afaque Hussain on the phone.
ST: You are contesting another election after a defeat in the last Assembly polls. What are your expectations this time?
Jemino Mawthoh: We are going to emerge victorious this time because our partners in the MDA government are hardworking and they are working collectively. There is coordination among all the workers of the four parties (NPP, UDP, HSPDP and PDF) in the MDA government and they are going to the nook and corner of their constituencies to drum up support for us.
ST: Do you think contesting as a common candidate of MDA puts you in an advantageous position?
JM: Yes, very much. Being in the government and being a common candidate of the MDA, we are in an advantageous position and I am fighting this election on the strength of this MDA government.
ST: How do you rate your opponent who is a two-time MP?
JM: He is the sitting MP and it will not be a cakewalk for me since in the last two terms, he has developed a connect with the people, but anti-incumbency factor is there and it will work in my favour. I have nothing personal against my opponent and he is a good friend of mine, but as far as policy matters are concerned, I think the MP has failed miserably to represent the people of the state.
ST: How is the feedback from your coalition partners? Are they campaigning for you?
JM: There is so much of enthusiasm at all levels and everyone is becoming so proactive and they are actively campaigning. I have no words to express my gratitude to these four parties and the independent MLA for working actively in this campaign.
ST: Congress is targeting UDP and NPP since BJP is part of the MDA government. Will this nexus propaganda affect your campaign?
JM: It will not affect us as we have time and again explained to the public about the accusation of the Congress. These accusations are not having any impact as we have seen in the last Council elections people have supported the NPP, UDP and the HSPDP. We won quite a number of seats and Congress was defeated in many constituencies in spite of all the accusations and allegations made by them because people are wise and they know what is really going on.
ST: BJP is contesting the Shillong seat. Will the BJP candidate take away your votes thereby affecting your prospect?
JM: Frankly speaking, I don’t know whether BJP will eat into the vote bank of the MDA partners or Congress, but one thing I am sure of is that I am standing on the strength of the MDA government and people would vote for us.
ST: Do you think that issues concerning the people are not highlighted by the contesting candidates?
JM: Very true, but except us, as I have raised a lot of issues regarding the role of an MP. The role of an MP is that of a bridge between the Centre and the state and an MP plays an important role in addressing the issues plaguing the state for years. Issues may be of development, plight of farmers, unemployment and I feel that the MPs, MLAs and MDCs should work together to address the issues of the people and the state.
ST: What is your vision for the Shillong parliamentary constituency if you are elected?
JM: I will try to articulate the dreams and aspirations of the people of the state and address issues which keep on emanating in the state from time to time.