TURA: It was intended to be a broadside, but turned out to be a ‘jewel’ in the crown.
In the free-for-all election campaign in Garo Hills which makes a lot more of sound than sense, barbs and ironies rather than manifestos and arguments rule the roost.
The latest to join the bandwagon is former South Tura MLA John Leslee K Sangma, who has aligned himself with Congress candidate Mukul Sangma, and attacked NPP candidate and former Union minister of state Agatha Sangma with the epithet Nilmoni questioning her stint in Parliament, both as a minister and a common lawmaker, when it came to attendance, question hour and debates.
“That’s the name (Nilmoni) I gave Agatha Sangma because of her performance in Parliament – Debate nil, Private Member’s Bill nil, question nil = Nilmoni” John Leslee had said at a gathering of his supporters while joining hands with the Congress in the presence of Mukul Sangma at the former’s home in Balading on Wednesday.
“We had her for seven years. She gave us zero performance,” Leslee openly criticised while justifying his name calling of the youngest daughter of Late PA Sangma in the heat of the election battle.
Well, ignorance is not always bliss many would say, as the more informed would point out to the former Tura MLA that in Indian mythology, Nilmoni refers to the rarest of the rare jewel that glows on Shiva’s forehead!
In an enthusiastic battle of wits, the blissfully unaware have turned the burlesque into a compliment that the NPP is likely to cherish.
“It is unfortunate personal attacks are happening. The question of participating and asking questions in Parliament does not arise because as a minister her job would have been to reply to any queries raised by other members relating to her department,” pointed out Chief Minister Conrad Sangma as he lauded his younger sister for her work and contribution to the working of the rural development ministry.
“Even Dr Mukul Sangma did not ask a single question in the last term. That is because he cannot since he is part of the government,” countered the chief minister.
With another four days to go before campaigning comes to a close, the mudslinging is unlikely to die down anytime soon.
