Populism is an instrument of political mobilisation. In Meghalaya, populism has always won over good economic sense. Populism has been the driving force for political parties across the spectrum. Hence an economic good such as the railway has been kept on the backburner because certain pressure groups feel it is not good for the state and its people without actually doing a cost-benefit analysis and without consulting cross sections of the population of Meghalaya. The voices of the people have been co-opted by sundry pressure groups ever since Meghalaya was created. Political parties and politicians have not dared to challenge these groups but have been held to ransom by them. In fact, politicians have been pandering to these populist groups at the cost of the economic development of the state. The dichotomy between what is economically beneficial for the long term and the immediate electoral gains from adopting populist politics is what has kept Meghalaya at a huge economic disadvantage.
The advantages of having a rail transport system cannot be over-emphasized. Rail transport is by far the most dependable and also the most economical form of transport. It is also faster and the best option for transporting heavy and bulky goods and food grains over long distances. So why are the pressure groups winning the perception battle all the time? And the perception is that railways will result in influx from other states and that most workers in the railways are non-indigenous. The same pressure groups forget that the Railways are also the largest employers and the people of Meghalaya stand a chance at employment if the railways come into the Khasi-Jaintia hills of Meghalaya. In that respect the Garos have been far wiser in accepting the railways which now come up to Mendipathar and carry back a lot of the agricultural products from the Garo Hills to Assam and other states. Transporting the same by road would not have been economically viable.
Recently, Jemino Mawthoh, general secretary of the United Democratic Party (UDP) gave his considered opinion on the railways and stated that goods trains would be a boon to the State as transportation costs would reduce and exporters from Meghalaya too would benefit equally. Mawthoh also made a pragmatic statement that the Government cannot say “No” to everything. As expected there was a backlash against his statement. Ironically, the Khasi and Jaintia Hills District Councils both headed by the NPP appear to be at cross purposes with the UDP’s stance since they are the ones sitting on files that would clear the way for the construction of the railway lines up to Byrnihat in Ri Bhoi district or up to East Jaintia Hills. The fear psychosis created around every project that could boost the economy of the state is unfounded but some groups have thrived and survived on this fear psychosis and politicians have not developed a spine to do what is in the larger interest of the state and its people. Meghalaya needs statesmen who will not think only of warming their seats every five years but have a long term vision for the State and its people.
