SHILLONG: For the Congress, the battle for Meghalaya is as a lot a battle to stave off political oblivion in the northeast as it's to retain power. BJP is on the helm in 3 of the area's seven states: Assam, Manipur and Arunachal while Nagaland's government is administered by way of Naga People's Front alongwith BJP. In Tripura, Congress has long misplaced its standing as major opposition and Mizoram, held by way of the Congress, heads to the hustings later this year.
In Meghalaya, Congress is struggling with anti-incumbency and big-ticket defections and is up towards a robust challenge from National People's Party (NPP), founded by way of the past due PA Sangma, and BJP. NPP, and different regional parties are a part of the NDA on the Centre, in addition to the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance but are contesting one after the other.
In power the previous eight years, in itself an aberration in politically unstable Meghalaya, firebrand Congress CM Mukul Sangma feels his birthday party is not off course to retain power. The 53-year-old says, "We'll have more than two (Meghalaya and Mizoram) in years to come. Here, we'll make it past 30 seats." The Meghalaya assembly has 60 seats.
But confidence apart, NPP inflicted a shock defeat on Mukul when his MLA wife, Dikkanchi D Shira, misplaced to PA Sangma's son, Conrad, in 2016's Tura Lok Sabha bypoll. Also, BJP intensified its actions in the state, and diluted its 'Hindutva time table' to a large extent to fit native sentiment. PM Modi's 'Rally for Change' in December was once well-attended. The saffron birthday party has recommended clear of cultural collisions similar to beef in native diet — BJP neta Bernard Marak quit the birthday party final June protesting birthday party seniors' opposition to a beef-bitchi (native brew) birthday party he wanted to host to have a good time 3 years of the Modi government.
To humour non-tribal electorate, BJP has additionally side-stepped the issue of unlawful migration.
In distinction, Mukul's adventure this time has been bumpy from the start. Weeks prior to the poll procedure began, eight Congress legislators jumped send — 5 to NPP, one every to BJP and People's Democratic Front while every other MLA opted to battle as an Independent.
"We've had setbacks but changes in the leadership in Delhi (Rahul Gandhi's elevation as president) and Meghalaya have energised the party here," state Congress running president and MP Vincent Pala says.
Congress got a toehold in Meghalaya in 1976 when All Party Hill Leaders' Conference, which spearheaded the movement for Meghalaya's formation, merged with it. The birthday party has had six CMs in the state, forming governments with the help of regional parties and Independents. In 2013, Congress came closest to majority, bagging 29 seats, two short of the successful number. It formed government with the help of 10 MLAs, most commonly Independents. The regional parties together received 16 seats, and are all NDA allies.
This time, too, Independents and regional parties are gearing as much as have a say in who takes rate of the state. Given how BJP managed to seize Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur, Congress may find it difficult to shape government if it falls short of majority. Keenly conscious about this, Mukul says, "When you know the opposition's working overtime to dethrone you, it insulates you from complacency."
His birthday party showcases their achievements—common medical health insurance, good fortune towards militancy, tourism and building and stresses on its coverage of inclusiveness.
Like in Manipur, BJP has been soliciting give a boost to saying that Meghalaya will acquire if it votes for the birthday party this is in power on the Centre. Its marketing campaign has been strident focusing on the anti-incumbency issue. PM Modi and Amit Shah and KJ Alphons, its Christian face, have held several rallies. "Our morale is high. People are aware of PM Modi's achievements,"says state BJP president Shibun Lyngdoh; the birthday party banking at the PM's 'vikas' time table.
NPP appears very easily positioned, with its grassroots attach and links with the Centre, each running to its merit. It talks of its founder PA Sangma's legacy. Projecting itself as Congress's key challenger, it expects to gain from its choice not to have a pre-poll tie-up with BJP, seen as a Hindutva birthday party.
In Meghalaya, Congress is struggling with anti-incumbency and big-ticket defections and is up towards a robust challenge from National People's Party (NPP), founded by way of the past due PA Sangma, and BJP. NPP, and different regional parties are a part of the NDA on the Centre, in addition to the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance but are contesting one after the other.
In power the previous eight years, in itself an aberration in politically unstable Meghalaya, firebrand Congress CM Mukul Sangma feels his birthday party is not off course to retain power. The 53-year-old says, "We'll have more than two (Meghalaya and Mizoram) in years to come. Here, we'll make it past 30 seats." The Meghalaya assembly has 60 seats.
But confidence apart, NPP inflicted a shock defeat on Mukul when his MLA wife, Dikkanchi D Shira, misplaced to PA Sangma's son, Conrad, in 2016's Tura Lok Sabha bypoll. Also, BJP intensified its actions in the state, and diluted its 'Hindutva time table' to a large extent to fit native sentiment. PM Modi's 'Rally for Change' in December was once well-attended. The saffron birthday party has recommended clear of cultural collisions similar to beef in native diet — BJP neta Bernard Marak quit the birthday party final June protesting birthday party seniors' opposition to a beef-bitchi (native brew) birthday party he wanted to host to have a good time 3 years of the Modi government.
To humour non-tribal electorate, BJP has additionally side-stepped the issue of unlawful migration.
In distinction, Mukul's adventure this time has been bumpy from the start. Weeks prior to the poll procedure began, eight Congress legislators jumped send — 5 to NPP, one every to BJP and People's Democratic Front while every other MLA opted to battle as an Independent.
"We've had setbacks but changes in the leadership in Delhi (Rahul Gandhi's elevation as president) and Meghalaya have energised the party here," state Congress running president and MP Vincent Pala says.
Congress got a toehold in Meghalaya in 1976 when All Party Hill Leaders' Conference, which spearheaded the movement for Meghalaya's formation, merged with it. The birthday party has had six CMs in the state, forming governments with the help of regional parties and Independents. In 2013, Congress came closest to majority, bagging 29 seats, two short of the successful number. It formed government with the help of 10 MLAs, most commonly Independents. The regional parties together received 16 seats, and are all NDA allies.
This time, too, Independents and regional parties are gearing as much as have a say in who takes rate of the state. Given how BJP managed to seize Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur, Congress may find it difficult to shape government if it falls short of majority. Keenly conscious about this, Mukul says, "When you know the opposition's working overtime to dethrone you, it insulates you from complacency."
His birthday party showcases their achievements—common medical health insurance, good fortune towards militancy, tourism and building and stresses on its coverage of inclusiveness.
Like in Manipur, BJP has been soliciting give a boost to saying that Meghalaya will acquire if it votes for the birthday party this is in power on the Centre. Its marketing campaign has been strident focusing on the anti-incumbency issue. PM Modi and Amit Shah and KJ Alphons, its Christian face, have held several rallies. "Our morale is high. People are aware of PM Modi's achievements,"says state BJP president Shibun Lyngdoh; the birthday party banking at the PM's 'vikas' time table.
NPP appears very easily positioned, with its grassroots attach and links with the Centre, each running to its merit. It talks of its founder PA Sangma's legacy. Projecting itself as Congress's key challenger, it expects to gain from its choice not to have a pre-poll tie-up with BJP, seen as a Hindutva birthday party.
Meghalaya polls: Congress seeks silver lining, BJP pledges a good reign
![Meghalaya polls: Congress seeks silver lining, BJP pledges a good reign]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
February 21, 2018
Rating:
