NEW DELHI: Meghalaya has always witnessed lively elections with top leaders from Delhi trooping to the state for canvassing.
However, the buzz was missing this election season. “This is the dullest election campaign I have ever seen,” a senior journalist told this correspondent in Shillong.
Even on the last day of campaigning, there was not much activity, be it in the ruling camp or the opposition.
There was neither high decibel campaign by any of the candidates nor massive posters, banners and cutouts unlike the rest of the country. Also, none of the top leaders from the Congress or the BJP campaigned in the state.
AICC president Rahul Gandhi cancelled his trip at the last moment to file nomination papers in Wayanad.
Use of man, money and muscle power was also less this time. Voters too were uninterested, The Shillong Times found out after speaking to a cross section of people.
“We do not expect much from our MPs and rather concerned about our MLAs with whom we interact frequently,” said a taxi driver. “As long as the local MLA is good and you are close to him your problem is solved,” he added.
When pointed out that of the MLAs, Sanbor Shullai, is contesting and also a former MLA, Jemino Mawthoh, he became evasive.
When questioned about development, a disinterested shopkeeper said no party has brought major development in the state.
One of the reasons for this low-key campaign is less number of candidates and lesser number of days available for campaigning.
Earlier the regional parties used to put up a candidate each. But this time they are fielding common candidates in Shillong and Tura.
Also, the state is going to polls in a single phase drastically reducing the number of days for campaigning. But the candidates are not complaining. “I have to spend less,” one of the contestants quipped.
He also argued against big rallies and huge shows. “You spend money and time for herding your voters and what is the extra benefit since they will vote for you in any case,” he said, adding that most of the voters “know you by face so where is the need of banners, posters, hoardings or cutouts”.
In the past, there used to be rebel candidates and infighting in parties which have reduced this time.
On the contrary Tura witnessed a high voltage campaign since the fight is between a former Union minister and a former chief minister. In the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls, Selsella has been forgotten where NPP, Congress, UDP and BJP have fielded candidates.
The national scenario has also dampened the poll spirit in the hill state and its neighbourhood.
National parties are concentrating in big states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Maharashtra. The total number of seats from all the eight northeastern states is only 25.
Moreover, out of these 25 seats, Assam alone has 14 seats and the remaining states have one or two each. There is some noise in Assam with all top leaders campaigning there.
Of the small states with one Lok Sabha seat, Nagaland, Mizoram and Sikkim normally vote for the party that is in power in that state. All these states are ruled by regional parties.
