By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The February 23 election, which was fought without any relevant issues, saw candidates winning despite scams.
Lack of educational qualifications of candidates was not an issue for the voters.
Money and muscle power also came to the rescue of some candidates.
Voters have yet again elected crorepatis, at least 36 of them, in the House of 60, besides coal barons and businessmen.
The common talks like ‘corrupt candidates should not be elected’ have remained only at the discussion table as it did not translate into reality during voting.
Ampareen Lyngdoh had denied her role in the education scam, though the CBI report cited that the tampering of marks of eligible candidates did take place. At that point of time, she was holding the Education portfolio.
The victory of Ampareen shows that the ‘education scam’ was not an issue for the voters.
The victories of coal barons like Ngaitlang Dhar (Class VIII passed) and Dikkanchi D Shira (wife of Dr Mukul Sangma), among others show that the voters preferred personalities who have monetary powers, rather than concentrating on the real issues.
It is apparent from the results that that the voters did not bother about the fact that while the State Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) grew only by 15 per cent on an average from 2007-08 to 2011-12, the assets of as many as 111 politicians who contested this election grew by a whopping 252 per cent.
