By Daiaphira Kharsati
SHILLONG: Amid the clash of titans, the three Independent candidates in the fray for the Shillong Lok Sabha seat are a virtually forgotten lot. Meet former kickboxer, Samuel Hashah, former Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer, THS Bonney, and Romeo Phira Rani, who contested many elections.
They share their agenda and views ahead of the elections to the twin Lok Sabha seats in the state.
Samuel Hashah
Samuel Hashah’s symbol is in line with his sportsman identity — a football. He had contested the 2014 Council polls from Mylliem.
Asked about his journey from sports to politics, he said no assistance is extended to sportspersons when they venture out for any tournament and asserted that there is no future for sports in the state.
“As someone from a sports background, I am forced to come forward and contest the elections. I plan to not only improve the sports infrastructure in the state but anything related to issues of the youth. Only a youth can understand another youth’s problems,” he said.
He sounded unwell and said he was suffering from cold and cough. He has toured the villages in Jaintia Hills such as Namdong, Mukhla, Lad Rymbai, Jowai, Narpuh, Ratacherra and Amlarem while in Ri-Bhoi, he has campaigned in Jirang, Patharkhmah and Mawhati.
“The response from the people in these areas was the best as they were aware of my appeal. They also see that I am still young and there is a need for young people,” he said.
In Hashah’s appeal, he has made mention of the lingering inter-state and international border tension besides voicing his opposition to the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill and support for implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP). He has spoken about coming up with a sports policy to improve the sports infrastructure in the state, setting up small industries, factories and training centres and moving for inclusion of Khasi language in the
Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution besides improving the agriculture sector in the state etc.
THS Bonney
The retired IFS officer was initially fielded as a Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) candidate, but had to finally settle as an Independent following the Meghalaya High Court’s ruling on the leadership tussle in the party.
His candidature was announced before differences broke out and when KHNAM MLA Adelbert Nongrum was still the MDC.
Asked if the development has affected his candidature, he said, “No, no, no, rather they (people) are very happy that I have come as an Independent candidate. They are very happy. The people are totally fed up with the KHNAM issue. Enough is enough.”
Having lost the KHNAM candidature, he showed no signs of regret and said “It is not bad, it is good. I am free as an Independent.”
Stating that he has toured different rural places of Khasi and Jaintia Hills, he claimed the candidates from big parties can never visit the villages.
“The decision is made in Delhi and no one dares to move to the villages,” Bonney explained.
About contesting against heavyweights such as Congress’ Vincent Pala and Meghalaya Democratic Alliance’s (MDA) consensus candidate, Jemino Mawthoh, he said, “Let’s see the results. I have the love of the people. All the places that I visited, people there remembered me. My travelling for two years to rural places has paid off.”
He said the rural folks are responding to him because he is the only person who has visited the villages. “I don’t have any complicated strategy,” he said.
Bonney informed that on Saturday, he stood on a pick-up vehicle to address a meeting in Nongpoh market and said, “I don’t have any platform, I am a poor guy.”
Romeo Phira Rani
Rani would contest the elections time and again, but would not come out successful. Sitting calmly in his office at Laitumkhrah, he said that the people of Laitumkhrah love PG Marbaniang (the late father of Congress MLA Ampareen Lyngdoh and RG Lyngdoh).
Asked about his viral video wherein he had said that he will be the father of all the children who study outside, he clarified, “In my political career, I have seen that politicians who win the elections do not take up the issues of students who study outside the state seriously.”
In his appeal to the people, Rani said he would initiate inter-faith dialogue and develop inter-faith relationship for peace and harmony, provide free and compulsory education, provide better healthcare, initiate youth empowerment policy, provide skill training in various sustainable livelihood opportunities and encourage youth engagement in sports and cultural activities.