Editor,
Can anyone really claim to have a clue as to how politics operate in a parliamentary democratic constituency called Meghalaya. For starters everyone, practically everyone , in the state has been crying out loud about the rampant corruption that has been allowed to permeate the governance in the state of Meghalaya. Four years of unadulterated corruption practiced by the MDA right from the illegal mining and transportation of coal to the unexplainable catastrophe of the Dome of the Assembly crashing down without rhyme or reason. Every one blamed it on the induction of rich coal barons and contractors into the political system of the state. The Khasis even came up with a name for it – The High Levels, meaning VIPs who can get away with every crime under the IPC just because they happen to run the Government. Then in his political campaign for the BJP, the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah has called the state the most corrupt state or something to that effect.
Now we have the results of the 27th Feb polls and the results are a fractured mandate. People and parties calling and blaming each other for corruption, nepotism and every kind of crime under the dictionary are now once again conspiring how to work together. Their excuse- how to bring about a stable Government for the good of the people who voted for them. Another coalition in the likes of the MDA -1 is once again likely to emerge as MDA -2. So people be prepared for another 5 years of tumultuous governance. Once a government is formed the pressure groups ( who incidentally remained mute and quiet on corruption during the polls) will come crawling out of their respective holes with bandhs, roadblocks and all sorts of nonsense , whose sole intention is to bring normal economic life of the state to a stop. The elected politicians except the CM and the Home Minister will be seen then. All the others would have crept back to the safety of their respective homes and pretend they have nothing to do with what is going on. That is politics in Meghalaya. Does anyone understand how it operates?
Yours etc.,
Timothy Ranee,
Via email
Will the administration wake up?
Editor,
A very moving and honest write-up of Albert Thyrniang: 2023 (ST March1, 2023) sees little change in our fortunes post March 2 after the results are out. The article touched me immensely. Here is a man on the ground revealing first hand the plight of the village people of Rangblang Sohsyniang. It grieves me to read how we, the people, have grown so hard- hearted, indifferent and casual because we are not affected directly! I wonder whether the few questions he raises ever penetrates the hearts and minds of the administration!
Maybe, just maybe, if the villagers’ prayer of Paul to the Ephesians, ” ….. beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherein ye are called.” might bring about a renewed thrust and honest determination by the government to address the problems!
Yours etc.,
Kevin Phillips
Shillong – 19
Indicator of N-E Results
Editor,
Every election has its own significance and it indicates the future trends for the coming elections. The present results of three North Eastern states show the strong grip of the BJP as the party had won the assembly elections in Tripura. In Meghalaya and Nagaland it will form a coalition Government with the regional parties. The Congress party performed very poorly in all the three states. This calls for a deep introspection from the party. Rahul Gandhi is abroad whereas Modi will address the workers in BJP office New Delhi. This in itself shows the priority of the Congress honcho and the difference in the working style of both parties.
The election results are an indicator of a mature democracy that India is and in a mature democracy there is no place for caste, creed or religion. Only development matters along with national interest and integrity of the country. In the North Eastern states where Hindus are in a minority and BJP is known as a pro- Hindu party, the voters did not pay heed to this factor and supported the BJP. So we can say that the results of elections have changed the entire political scenario and also proved that our country has a mature democracy.
The impact of these elections will be seen in the Karnataka assembly elections which will be held two months hence. The BJP had already declared the programme for the month of March and various leaders will continuously visit the state and organise meetings. Karnataka state is very important for the BJP. If the Party loses Karnataka it will have direct impact on the coming assembly elections in five states and also on the parliament elections to be held in March 2024.
The Congress will fight the elections on the basis of the Adani issue. How much support the Party will get will be clear from the Karnataka assembly elections. Opposition parties are making their own strategies against the BJP but they are not united. Even in the north eastern states the TMC contested the elections separately and won a few seats. It is expected from the Opposition parties that they should fight the elections unitedly to face the challenge from the ruling party. A strong Opposition is a must in a democratic country. And Opposition parties must learn from the results of the North Eastern States otherwise they have to repent again for not getting enough seats even for getting the status of Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha.
Yours etc.,
Yash Pal Ralhan,
Via email