By Bhogtoram Mawroh
Over the last couple of weeks, there have been speculations that Sanbor Shullai, BJP MLA from South Shillong, is being projected as the common candidate of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA), Government for the upcoming Lok Sabha by-poll from Shillong. The untimely demise of Ricky Syngkon, who had won the Shillong seat from the Voice of the People Party (VPP), has necessitated a by-poll that promises to become a highly intriguing affair. The VPP has already announced Batskhem Myrboh, the party’s chief spokesperson and an associate professor in the Department of Political Science at North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), as its candidate. The party is hoping that Batskhem would gain from the sympathy factor, which will allow them to win the seat again. If that happens, this will be a big achievement for a party that rode on the high of ‘jaidbynriew politics’ to not just win the Shillong MP seat but also the KHADC for the first time. But the loss in JHADC also highlights the limits of ‘jaidbynriew politics’, which has to produce results beyond slogans.
VPP has already backtracked from its original position of amending the Reservation Policy based on population to demand that only the Khasi share should be increased without disturbing the existing 40% available to the Garo. But that would violate the principle of proportionality on which they started the agitation on the issue. It is quite confusing as to what the original argument was for starting the agitation. Nevertheless, the admission that they do not want to disturb the Garo share is a signal that the fight over changing the reservation policy is over. This might change if Batskhem were to raise the issue in the Lok Sabha if he were to win the by-poll. So, it will be interesting to listen to him during the campaign as to the issues that he promises to raise in Parliament. If amending the reservation policy is not mentioned, it is a clear signal that the issue is over for the party and they are sending a message to their supporters that they need to move on to other issues, most probably ILP.
As for the MDA, they would like to believe that the emotional surge that propelled VPP to their first-ever MP seat has died down and people will become more discerning about their vote. They would want someone who can work with the Union Government in bringing much-needed financial resources to the state that can be used for funding development initiatives. Pragmatism is what the MDA is hoping for from the electorate. At the same time, they will have to learn from the previous election so as not to suffer a repeat. In 2024, NPP and UDP (in alliance with HSPDP) decided to contest the election on their own, and it ended in embarrassing defeats for both. Ampareen Lyngdoh was the NPP candidate, and she got 18% of the vote, while Robertjune Kharjahrin from UDP got only 4% of the vote. A common candidate, therefore, seems like a better option.
The Congress will also need to consider the candidate very carefully. Vincent Pala got less than 20% of the vote, and it might be time to give an opportunity to fresh faces. Manuel Badwar, Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee Secretary, could be an option. But he has never won an election and therefore might not be ready for the MP election yet. A surprising option could be the reinstatement of George Lyngdoh into the party and projecting him as the party’s candidate. Despite his losses in the previous MLA and MDC elections, he has been a member of the Meghalaya Assembly and would have no issue transitioning into a similar role in the Lok Sabha. Not being party to any controversy to date or having been accused of corruption, he could be a safe candidate as the party looks to rejuvenate itself for the future. It would be a desperate move to call someone back who left on their own volition, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
Now coming to Sanbor Shullai, if indeed he gets the nod as the common candidate for the MDA, it creates a different challenge for the other contenders. A three-time MLA from South Shillong, he also held the post of the Deputy Speaker of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly. Representing an ethnically diverse constituency, he has learned the art of balancing the interests of different groups. Though belonging to the BJP, he has at times taken a stand that goes against party policy. While Himanta Biswa Sarma recently went berserk threatening action against the parents of Kunki Chowdhury over allegations that they consumed beef, not long ago Sanbor was encouraging people in the state to eat more beef along with other meat. In the letter addressed to the Assam Chief Minister, however, he was more diplomatic and praised Himanta Biswa Sarma while still opposing any attempt to ban beef consumption. This tact is also seen in his dealings with the local ‘pro-jaidbynriew’ groups that accuse him of sheltering and supporting the non-indigenous community.
In a public meeting, he informed the audience that South Shillong is a general seat, which means that anyone can contest an election from it. Before he became the MLA, it was Manas Chaudhari who held the seat for two terms. Ever since he was able to wrest control of the seat by defeating Manas Chaudhuri, it has always remained with him, an indigenous Khasi. So, Sanbor is equally adept at playing the ‘jaidbynriew’ card when the occasion demands. And over time, his hold over the seat has only become stronger. In 2013, he won with only 34% of the vote share, which increased to more than 66% in 2023. In the last election, I campaigned for one of his opponents, and we were completely decimated. So, does this mean that he is a proponent of jaidbynriew politics?
Some people claim the non-indigenous support for Sanbor is due to their fear of losing protection if he loses. Except for a few stray incidents, his constituency has by and large been free of ethnic tension. So, it has to be acknowledged that he has been able to ensure the safety and security of his constituents, especially those belonging to the non-indigenous community. However, even if the argument of ‘protection’ were to be true, it does not fully capture the reasons for the strong support among the majority of the electorate.
One of the most memorable moments captured during the Pujas is the sight of Sanbor dancing in front of the procession. I have personally witnessed such a performance. He takes part equally in the celebrations of all communities, and there are numerous pictures and videos to attest to it. It is this inclusive attitude that has been his biggest strength. One of the Khasi voters from his constituency once told me that he does not discriminate between any community (indigenous or non-indigenous) or class (rich or poor). A friend of mine narrated an incident that captures what Sanbor means to many of his constituents. Some time ago, when one of his family members had passed away in the hospital, my friend called Sanbor for help in bringing the body home. It was quite late at night, and Sanbor assured him that he would send someone. Later, an ambulance pulled up in front of the house with the body. The family went out to receive the body and found Sanbor at the wheel, driving the ambulance himself.
Sanbor Shullai is a maverick who does things his own way. No one would name a road after themselves while still being alive. People chuckle about it, but I am sure he is not bothered by it. But this does not mean that he is a simpleton. He understands the art of balancing the aspirations of different groups, safety and security for the non-indigenous population, and catering to the existential angst of the indigenous community. His longevity in an ethnically diverse constituency is a testament to it. He is the only BJP candidate who might appeal to non-BJP voters. Therefore, he might very well be the best bet for a common candidate. Does this mean that he will win? I think it will be a big challenge. But whatever the outcome in the end, it will always be our choice, something that Sanbor will always stand up for. Of that I am confident, even if I may not vote for him.
(The views expressed in the article are those of the author and do not reflect in any way his affiliation to any organisation or institution)
