By Michael Makri
“Ki juh hi baroh” (they are all the same, it doesn’t matter who wins)
As an external observer and a voter, what is important post 2023 election is how to uplift our people who are living in villages few kilometers from the city. The big majority live in hunger, are deprived of roads, communication and safe drinking water and yet unknowingly are burdened with the government’s debt to pay back loans from various funding agencies as found by many RTI activists and published by media both traditional and social.
Latest research tells us that Sri Lanka is in a deep financial crisis; Pakistan is in turmoil; there are predictions of more developing countries facing similar instability in the near future due to loans taken from various national and international funding agencies such as the World Bank, ADB etc. How will the present government or the next one fulfil the promises in the election manifesto in a state hardly coping with providing even basic necessities to its citizens and having to repay the loan for non-existent projects? Remember a month back or so, there were so many ‘Maw Nongrim’ (foundation stones) being laid to the point that no stones were left. True, most of the stones have also crossed borders either to Bangladesh or other neighbouring states.
We need to be united, but with sincere efforts to restore the credibility of those contesting the elections and their ungodly tactics that churned superfast results compounded by massive vote buying. Is democracy still a reality or has it been made obsolete by pisacrazy? Whatever, we have to move on and our faith has to face the challenge. So come February 27, 2023 and then what follows ‘Ngi dawa ia ka hok’ (we demand for our rights) slogan will continue by those who are dancing like David in front of the Ark during these days of election campaign.
I recently went to condole a family that lost a mother; after a brief prayer we were offered tea and a gentleman gave his opening remark about “principled collaboration” in areas that benefit the people if so and so party wins the election. Next to my seat was an elderly woman who listened carefully and gave her concluding remark ‘ki juh hi baroh’ (all political parties are the same, no matter who wins – change and development seems a distant reality). Will the next administration— bolster its credibility—fulfil their manifestos to prevent ordinary voters like me from believing in the power of pisacrazy (money power to win elections, not service). Or will it be the same for eternity?
Listening to so many speeches of politicians in mushrooming YouTube Channels in the state, “Pisacracia” not “democracia” is what we have in our state and in our country as a whole. What bewilders me most was a confession by the Deputy Chief Minister that “ki paidbah ki shah pynbiej man ka san snem” (the people are fooled every five years by politicians). He is justifying that fooling the voters with money is part of our culture. I strongly disagree with this rationalization of the minister. I still believe that there are honest citizens who are people-oriented and development-oriented. I still find such values are embedded in the lives of our ethnic population, and have been reinforced by our forefathers but sadly, none with the current batch of leaders. Yes, deep inside, there are many who can distinguish what is right and wrong. Unfortunately, we may have been misled and mesmerized by money. I just wish this ends and it ends with this 2023 election.
While accessing our YouTube Channel ‘Don Bosco Media Network’ approving contents before they are live, on February 4, 2023 I approved a story of one resident of Lumdiengjri who went to the houses of political candidates to return their pressure cooker and bowl in exchange for her vote. True, how can a vote be so cheap as a bowl or a pressure cooker. While I can’t comment on the lady’s motive for her act, I can only appeal to every citizen to do likewise, demand for your right now. Will the various organizations wear headgears, carry flags, shout slogans and give restless time to police and para-military forces that patrol the roads and offices now? I am not calling for agitation or coaxing war; I just want to justify the power of pisacrazy over democracy.
Of the many WhatsApp Groups I am associated with as a member, one political WhatsApp group posted a video clip of a certain MDC from West Khasi Hills who vehemently criticized the chief minister who went for election campaign to Tripura and sang ‘Summer of 69’ to sway voters to vote for his political party. In between of the one minute long video is a picture of a man with eyes wide open and dollar bills in his hand. Then the video continues with the same MDC praising the CM and the political party as if a healing miracle has just happened. No wonder, our political aspirants are pisacrazy besides having no political degree. This is one of the many realities in our country. Hence we see the majority shifting their loyalties just for a penny.
HITO came forward to file an FIR against the trio of SniawConPres for violating Traffic rules and the Motor Vehicle Act to the DGP. We will know the outcome but it is a vain thought when lawmakers are first and foremost law breakers. Obviously, pisacrazy works with every one including policemen. But when a differently- abled child didn’t wear the helmet for a reason, a few months ago, her poor mother had to go to the police station and pay a heavy fine.
On January 31, we concluded the Grand Finale of ‘Ka Sur Kynud’ (please check for it on Don Bosco Media Network YouTube channel) a platform for budding singers in the state. A parent of one of the contestants who was among the top ten finalists told me, they got delayed as their sitting MLA was in their house threatening them that they would have to refund all the help they have received from the MLA in the past in case the MLA loses the election this year. Is the MLA sure of losing for him to threaten voters that way?
Finally, will the new administration that will be formed in March 2023 fully respect the dignity of the human person by ensuring that the genuine will of the people emerges in the election this year? Or, as in the past, will it again utilize its political power to solidify its future? “Win or Lose” God wants all his creatures to enjoy the benefits from the resources of this beautiful state of Meghalaya and not only those who have amassed wealth and power by hook or by crook. May this God empower us, believers, to be undaunted despite our ‘jingshah pynbiej’ (being fooled) every five years. Let us start laying down a solid foundation of a democratized Meghalaya and not a pisacratized Meghalaya by making vote buying and deceptive labelling events of the past. To the new government! Move on because the poor wait for you. We are one ‘Big Force’ to reckon with if our craze is for democracy and not for money.
(The author can be reached at [email protected])