By Benjamin Lyngdoh
There are three important components of democracy. A government ‘of the people’ followed with ‘by the people’ and ending on ‘for the people’. The three components shape an ideal democracy which would as an outcome entail features of a ‘sovereign socialist secular democratic republic’. In Meghalaya, this inherent understanding of democracy is largely absent primarily on account of an unaware or indifferent electorate. For example, ‘of the people’ has no meaning when the government of the day does not fulfil its promises, election manifesto and is detached from the woes of the common man. ‘By the people’ is a misnomer as the electorate is mostly engaged only during elections and is uninterested or has no say in government formation, governance and opposition. ‘For the people’ is nothing but a scam as the legislators in power are unaccountable and only interested in their own and cronies well-being. But still, the power to bring change rests with the people. Democracy and people are synonymous. They hold the keys to their own well-being, progress and development. However, are we able to see through the recent developments and the choices that may be worth assessing or are our minds and thoughts so clouded that nothing seems to make sense. This is an evolving picture and as of today is summed up as follows.
Trend: If you can’t beat them, join them
It is a must for the electorate to assess what has been happening over the last two months. It is important to read between the lines and think outside the box. The NPP and UDP are positioning themselves as the only feasible option. The result is a beeline of leaders and their followers from other parties who are looking to join them. This merger has already happened and by all means is going to become more frequent in the days to come. It is a situation where the others do not see the possibility of beating them; hence, the best strategy is to join them. This is an unhealthy trend and basically it tells us two things. First, the only factor that decides the merger of others with NPP and UDP is ‘win-ability’. The more important parameters like political narrative, ideology, election manifesto, etc all goes out the window. Is this the sort of political amalgamation that we seek? Can we not see that they are just looking to form a government by any and all means possible? Second, the trend is taking us towards a totalitarian government. A situation where the government of the day will have total freedom to do as it pleases. The electorate will turn into subjects and they would behave like Kings. In such a case, it can be taken as a certainty that they will win election, 2023. Why would they not? After all, the other leaders and parties are joining them. If this trend continues unabated then we are going to see the same governance as we have experienced over the last four years. The sad reality is that in 2018 they were voted to power on the hopes for a better Meghalaya, that which did not come true. Now, the danger is that they will be voted to power again because of a lack of choice(s).
Opposition: The hallmark of a healthy democracy
One of the problems is the tendency to focus too much and only on government. No one really likes to talk about the Opposition. We do not give any importance to it. This can be one of the reasons as to why so many individuals and parties jump ship while not doing justice to their roles as an opposition. The Congress is a good example. Now they are in the ruling dispensation. The AITC (Meghalaya) has come into the picture as its members led by Mukul Sangma do not want to be in the opposition next term. The small regional parties like PDF, HSPDP, KHNAM, etc are never really interested to be in the Opposition. They are always on the look-out for their pound of flesh. Well, what to say about BJP (Meghalaya)? They are like a soda bottle full of air. ‘Threaten, take in humiliation and stay in’ is their mode of operation and all with the objective of enhancing their image and voter base. By and large, it seems like the political parties are purposefully creating a picture that there is no such thing as a strong opposition and that it has no role in a democracy. We must note that they are winning on this front. It is time to realize that if it is important to have a government; then, it is also important to have a strong Opposition. The need of the hour is an Opposition that questions, debates and takes the voices of the people into the assembly and act as checks and balances. For example, illegal coal mining would not have been so rampant if there was a strong Opposition in the assembly. If the Opposition is non-existent, the people are to be blamed for not forcing their party/legislators to stay true to their roles.
Alternative: A critical
element in electoral politics
Everything evolves. It can be said that in electoral politics evolution is at its most dynamic. This is because many have opinions and viewpoints on political matters. An outcome of this is the birth of alternatives for the electorate. If a political system fails in giving birth to alternatives then the condition of the people would never improve. In addition, the old and grand political parties would never seek to correct and better itself. It is in this context that an alternative becomes a critical element in electoral politics. Here, VPP and KAM Meghalaya (which translates to ‘work’ in both Khasi and Hindi) have been formed so as to offer an alternative. They claim an alternative from corruption, dynastic politics, distance from the people, etc. VPP has already started its awareness campaigns with regards to it principles and political narrative. KAM is basically an ‘association of persons’ projecting themselves as an alternative to the current dispensation. How will the electorate take such an association remains to be seen in the coming months. Be that as it may, the point is that there is an alternative in the election, 2023. Importantly, it is a message that this alternative is going to do things differently and most critically is ‘willing to be in opposition’ in case of lesser seats won. But, the real question is this. Are the electorate ready to give them a chance particularly when they would be having far less money-power in fighting elections?
In the end, we will get what we deserve. Many will say we deserve better. But, better means making a conscious decision come voting day. Are we willing to vote for change and good governance as against the enticements and temptations of money and short-term benefits? Are we up for it?
(The writer teachers at NEHU. Email [email protected])