Shillong: For ruling Congress, the combat for Meghalaya is a combat for energy in addition to towards a conceivable political oblivion within the northeast. Of the seven states within the area, Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh are under BJP rule, and Nagaland has a government shaped in combination via Naga People’s Front and BJP.
In the previous, these provinces had been referred to as Congress’s bastions. In Tripura, Congress has lost its status of a major opposition to BJP, which is giving a tricky combat to the ruling Left Front. Mizoram, which is under Congress rule, will pass to the polls later this 12 months.
At the moment, Congress in Meghalaya faces a series of problems, including defections and the anti-incumbency issue. Complicating issues additional, National People’s Party (NPP), founded via the late PA Sangma, and BJP have emerged as major challengers to the Grand Old Party. Here, NPP and BJP are fighting one by one though they are the ruling companions in Manipur.
In energy for the previous eight years, which itself is an aberration in politically risky Meghalaya, firebrand Congress leader minister Mukul Sangma feels his party is heading in the right direction for revival. Unfazed via BJP’s takeover of four northeastern states, the 53-year-old chief says, “We may have more than two states (Meghalaya and Mizoram) within the years yet to come. We are positioned nicely in Meghalaya and can make it previous 30 seats.” The state meeting has altogether 60 seats.
Long sooner than the approaching election, NPP had inflicted a stunning defeat on Mukul when his MLA spouse, Dikkanchi D Shira, lost to PA Sangma’s son, Conrad, in 2016 Tura Lok Sabha bypoll.
Putting tremendous drive on Mukul and his party, BJP has lately intensified its actions within the state the place Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a well-attended mass accumulating named ‘Rally for Change’ in December. Considering the native sentiments, the saffron party has, to a large extent, diluted what's elsewhere referred to as ‘Hindutva time table’. It has instructed clear of debatable problems comparable to red meat intake. To keep non-tribal voters in excellent humour, it has more or less sidelined the issue of unlawful migration.
In stark distinction, Mukul’s adventure this time has been bumpy right from the beginning. Weeks sooner than the election process started, eight Congress legislators crossed over to different paties — 5 to NPP and one each and every to BJP and People’s Democratic Front. Another sitting Congress legislator determined to combat the election as an Independent.
“It’s true that we have got had a couple of setbacks and problems. But the hot changes in management in Delhi (Rahul Gandhi’s elevation as president) and Meghalaya have energized the party right here,” explains state Congress working president Vincent Pala, who is also an MP.
It was in 1976 that Congress first were given a toehold in Meghalaya when All Party Hill Leaders Conference, which had spearheaded the motion for the formation of Meghalaya, merged with it. Since then, Congress has been at the helm for lots of phrases with the assistance of regional parties and Independents.
In 2013, United Democratic Party won eight seats, Hill State People’s Democratic Party won four, NPP won two, and Garo National Council and North East Social Democratic Party one seat each and every. On the other hand, Congress won 29 seats, two short of the magic figure, and controlled to form a government with the assistance of 10 MLAs, most commonly Independents.
This time, too, Independents and regional parties could have a say in opting for who's going to take rate of the state. Going via the way BJP controlled to seize Arunachal and Manipur with the assistance of smaller parties, Congress would possibly to find it tough to form government in case it falls short of majority. Aware of this, Mukul says, “When you know the opposition is operating overtime to dethrone you, it insulates you from complacency.”
In its combat to retain its hold on Meghalaya, Congress showcases its achievements starting from common health insurance scheme, keep watch over of militancy within the Garo Hills to tourism and infrastructure development. Aware of the religious and ethnic composition of the citizens, it harps on its coverage of inclusiveness.
Like in Manipur, BJP has been soliciting improve via pronouncing that Meghalaya will achieve if it votes for the party which is in energy at the Centre. Its campaign has been strident focusing on the anti-incumbency issue. Top leaders comparable to Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Himanta Biswa Sarma, who heads North East Democratic Alliance (the regional version of NDA), and KJ Alphons, its Christian face, have held a series of rallies. “Our morale may be very top on account of years of Congress rule. People of Meghalaya are conscious about PM Modi’s achievements,” remarks state BJP president Shibun Lyngdoh.
NPP seems to be with ease positioned, with the regional grassroots connect and the hyperlinks with the federal government at the Centre both working to its advantage. It harps on Congress’s alleged screw ups within the state and the legacy of PA Sangma, its founder. Projecting itself as Congress’s primary challenger, it’s making an attempt laborious to win over the brand new technology voters. It expects to gain from the fact that it has not eneterd into a pre-poll alliance with BJP, which is seen as a votary of Hindutva philosophy. “Under Congress rule, Meghalaya saw most effective forget and apathy. We need change,” says Conrad, whose party would possibly become BJP’s senior spouse in case of a hung meeting.
In the previous, these provinces had been referred to as Congress’s bastions. In Tripura, Congress has lost its status of a major opposition to BJP, which is giving a tricky combat to the ruling Left Front. Mizoram, which is under Congress rule, will pass to the polls later this 12 months.
At the moment, Congress in Meghalaya faces a series of problems, including defections and the anti-incumbency issue. Complicating issues additional, National People’s Party (NPP), founded via the late PA Sangma, and BJP have emerged as major challengers to the Grand Old Party. Here, NPP and BJP are fighting one by one though they are the ruling companions in Manipur.
In energy for the previous eight years, which itself is an aberration in politically risky Meghalaya, firebrand Congress leader minister Mukul Sangma feels his party is heading in the right direction for revival. Unfazed via BJP’s takeover of four northeastern states, the 53-year-old chief says, “We may have more than two states (Meghalaya and Mizoram) within the years yet to come. We are positioned nicely in Meghalaya and can make it previous 30 seats.” The state meeting has altogether 60 seats.
Long sooner than the approaching election, NPP had inflicted a stunning defeat on Mukul when his MLA spouse, Dikkanchi D Shira, lost to PA Sangma’s son, Conrad, in 2016 Tura Lok Sabha bypoll.
Putting tremendous drive on Mukul and his party, BJP has lately intensified its actions within the state the place Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a well-attended mass accumulating named ‘Rally for Change’ in December. Considering the native sentiments, the saffron party has, to a large extent, diluted what's elsewhere referred to as ‘Hindutva time table’. It has instructed clear of debatable problems comparable to red meat intake. To keep non-tribal voters in excellent humour, it has more or less sidelined the issue of unlawful migration.
In stark distinction, Mukul’s adventure this time has been bumpy right from the beginning. Weeks sooner than the election process started, eight Congress legislators crossed over to different paties — 5 to NPP and one each and every to BJP and People’s Democratic Front. Another sitting Congress legislator determined to combat the election as an Independent.
“It’s true that we have got had a couple of setbacks and problems. But the hot changes in management in Delhi (Rahul Gandhi’s elevation as president) and Meghalaya have energized the party right here,” explains state Congress working president Vincent Pala, who is also an MP.
It was in 1976 that Congress first were given a toehold in Meghalaya when All Party Hill Leaders Conference, which had spearheaded the motion for the formation of Meghalaya, merged with it. Since then, Congress has been at the helm for lots of phrases with the assistance of regional parties and Independents.
In 2013, United Democratic Party won eight seats, Hill State People’s Democratic Party won four, NPP won two, and Garo National Council and North East Social Democratic Party one seat each and every. On the other hand, Congress won 29 seats, two short of the magic figure, and controlled to form a government with the assistance of 10 MLAs, most commonly Independents.
This time, too, Independents and regional parties could have a say in opting for who's going to take rate of the state. Going via the way BJP controlled to seize Arunachal and Manipur with the assistance of smaller parties, Congress would possibly to find it tough to form government in case it falls short of majority. Aware of this, Mukul says, “When you know the opposition is operating overtime to dethrone you, it insulates you from complacency.”
In its combat to retain its hold on Meghalaya, Congress showcases its achievements starting from common health insurance scheme, keep watch over of militancy within the Garo Hills to tourism and infrastructure development. Aware of the religious and ethnic composition of the citizens, it harps on its coverage of inclusiveness.
Like in Manipur, BJP has been soliciting improve via pronouncing that Meghalaya will achieve if it votes for the party which is in energy at the Centre. Its campaign has been strident focusing on the anti-incumbency issue. Top leaders comparable to Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Himanta Biswa Sarma, who heads North East Democratic Alliance (the regional version of NDA), and KJ Alphons, its Christian face, have held a series of rallies. “Our morale may be very top on account of years of Congress rule. People of Meghalaya are conscious about PM Modi’s achievements,” remarks state BJP president Shibun Lyngdoh.
NPP seems to be with ease positioned, with the regional grassroots connect and the hyperlinks with the federal government at the Centre both working to its advantage. It harps on Congress’s alleged screw ups within the state and the legacy of PA Sangma, its founder. Projecting itself as Congress’s primary challenger, it’s making an attempt laborious to win over the brand new technology voters. It expects to gain from the fact that it has not eneterd into a pre-poll alliance with BJP, which is seen as a votary of Hindutva philosophy. “Under Congress rule, Meghalaya saw most effective forget and apathy. We need change,” says Conrad, whose party would possibly become BJP’s senior spouse in case of a hung meeting.
Mukul leads Cong fight for ‘fort’ Meghalaya
![Mukul leads Cong fight for ‘fort’ Meghalaya]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
February 23, 2018
Rating:
