Ampati is going to the polls today. The three-cornered contest for this prestigious constituency was necessitated as former Chief Minister, Mukul Sangma who won from two seats – Ampati and Songsak – in the recently held State Assembly elections, decided to vacate the former and retain the latter. In a state known for its political dynasties, it is not surprising that Mukul ’s daughter Miani D Shira is contesting in her father’s place. Political dynasties are built by pampering the constituents and Ampati has received more than its due share of development; sometimes at the cost of many other less fortunate regions of Garo Hills, such as South and East Garo Hills. The Congress campaign in Ampati has been a high decibel one. The Congress High Command listed several star campaigners. This has made the Congress workers of Garo Hills wonder why the election to the Williamnagar constituency did not receive similar attention and traction, thereby leading to the defeat of the Congress candidate and former minister, Deborah Marak. But that’s political chicanery playing out in full public view.
The Congress and National Peoples’ Party (NPP) are both confident of winning Ampati a constituency that has been nurtured as a pocket borough of Mukul Sangma for the past 30 years, which is a record of sorts. It would be interesting to watch how things unfold in Ampati. Would the people of this constituency vote for change? What change are they looking at? Would Miani Shira a rank newcomer into politics be able to upstage Clement Momin who has contested against Mukul in the past? This by-election is crucial for the NPP to establish a firm hold over the coalition government – the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA). In fact all the coalition partners of the present Government have campaigned extensively for the NPP candidate. Mukul on the other hand has portrayed this contest as an opportunity for the Congress to return to power in Meghalaya.
There has been a running war of words between the Congress and the NPP during the campaign period. Now it remains to be seen as to who will ultimately carry the trophy and whether the voters are influenced by high pitch rhetoric.