SHILLONG, Feb 23: It will be a contest among many when the “educated” North Shillong Assembly segment goes to elections on February 27.
At eight, it has the highest number of candidates, including three retired bureaucrats. Elgiva Rynjah is the lone woman candidate. All major political parties, including Congress, BJP, TMC, NPP and UDP, are contesting the seat.
The constituency had voted for a new face in the past two elections – Roshan Warjri in 2013 and Adelbert Nongrum in 2018. Warjri had not contested in 2018.
It was a close contest between Nongrum, who was with KHNAM, and JA Lyngdoh, who contested as a BJP candidate, the last time. Nongrum had defeated Lyngdoh by 448 votes. Both are with different political parties now.
People hold contrasting views about Nongrum’s performance. Some said he performed well but could have done better. Others want a change.
The “cosmopolitan” North Shillong, which houses the state’s biggest commercial hub and is considered the constituency of the educated, is longing for security, employment of youths and more development.
The Shillong Times spoke to people from varied backgrounds and tried to learn their problems and expectations.
Devendra Singhania, a trader who is also the secretary of Police Bazar Welfare Society, said the biggest issue here is the issue of street vendors.
“They operate by sitting on the roads. It is a matter of harassment for them,” he said, adding the tiles, laid along the entire stretch of Police Bazar years ago, are in a pathetic condition and should be replaced. Ironically, the Police Bazar is under the Smart city project.
“The tourists visit Police Bazar and it is one of the most renowned places in the Northeast but we don’t have public toilets, even the pay and use ones,” Singhania said.
Stating that the safety and security of the traders is a major issue not only in the constituency but in the entire Shillong, he said the economy of the state gets affected whenever there is a law and order situation.
He expressed happiness over the performance of the sitting MLA who, he said, helped localities with solar lights.
“Individual character is more important and we need such a person who will work for the constituency,” he said.
The constituency, which bustles with daily activities, requires wider roads to tackle the rising traffic problem considering the rush of people, including tourists.
Unlike West Shillong or parts of Garo Hills where tension runs high during elections, the candidates here seemingly share a cordial relationship.
BJP’s Mariahom Kharkrang and Congress’ JA Lyngdoh stay close to each other in Riatsamthiah but there are no signs of tension either between the two candidates or among their supporters.
Phisabetlin Kharpuri, a young mother from Jaiaw who was on her way to Police Bazar, said unemployment is the biggest problem in the constituency.
“Many of us applied for government jobs but we never received any call letter,” she alleged.
She said not just is there a lack of proper footpaths and parking space, public transport is also quite expensive in the constituency.
“To travel from Jaiaw to Mawkhar, we have to pay a taxi fare of Rs 20. I think that’s too much,” she said.
She was hopeful that the winner will work to uplift the condition of youths, school dropouts and single mothers.
B Deb, a resident from Oakland, said his area needs security, better roads and improved water supply.
Another resident said unemployment and narrow roads are two of the problems. Terming Nongrum’s performance as average, he said he wants the next MLA to focus more on youths and tap their potential.
