SHILLONG, July 21: Social activists Angela Rangad and Kyrsoibor Pyrtuh have decided to jump into the political fray and contest the upcoming Assembly elections as Independent candidates.
Announcing their candidatures during a press conference here, Rangad and Pyrtuh, who are also part of KAM Meghalaya, informed they have decided to contest the election to challenge the corrupt ones.
“Our state is facing a crisis and we have to admit it as there is collapse all around; all indicators are pointing to the fact that we are going backwards and the reason to this is that there is a corrupt criminal capture of power. If we do not stand up to this now, there is point of no return,” Rangad said.
It is pertinent to note that Rangad and Pyrtuh will contest from South Shillong and North Shillong constituencies respectively — the strongholds of BJP’s Sanbor Shullai and KHNAM’s Adelbert Nongrum.
Stating that many might criticise their move, Rangad said, “We would have been happy with activism because social movements are just as important as other forms of engagement. But the way things are, there is no choice for us and we see it as another form of platform.”
Asked if they could put up a fight against the might of established political parties, she said, “The ones who buy votes will be the first ones to be bought, and hence will never speak up and stand up for the electorate. We will fight money and muscle power by being an alternative that is open and transparent, that consistently voices people’s aspirations, and that listens and communicates.”
Urging people of Meghalaya to be part of KAM Meghalaya campaign, which according to Rangad will be different and historic, she said, “It will be based on volunteerism and crowd funding, and will be a campaign that amplifies the hopes and aspirations of citizens for a Meghalaya that is equal, fair and just.”
Stating that for far too long politics in Meghalaya has been about choosing the lesser-evil, where political parties are unrecognisable from each other and candidates are mostly self serving opportunists, Rangad said, “KAM Meghalaya and our candidatures wish to dispel a sense of helplessness, hopelessness and cynicism. We know that a fight based on truth and democracy can and will win.”
KAM Meghalaya, translating to work Meghalaya, is a platform intended to provide a collective and participatory space for citizen engagement towards a more equitable, inclusive and just Meghalaya.
