Meghalaya assembly polls: A three-way battle?

By Ashima Makhija

With the upcoming assembly elections in the states of Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland, northeast India is headed towards a massive electoral thoroughfare. Particularly in Meghalaya, with regional forces combating an independent war against the incumbent Congress-led alliance, and BJP gaining a strong foothold, several speculations and electoral trends have begun to emerge in the state.

Foremost among them was the Nationalist Congress Party’s (NCP) decision to withdraw from the ruling coalition with the Congress party. Sharad Pawar’s NCP has decided that it would go solo in at least 42 constituencies in the state. Furthermore, on 15th January, popular independent MLA Saleng A. Sangma resigned from the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly and took over as State chief of NCP.

NCP choosing the path of solitude

In the last five years, several contentious issues had emerged between the Congress and NCP. NCP general secretary Praful Patel contended that the Congress had mistreated two of its MLAs during its tenure. The party cadre feels that the Congress took advantage of its alliance with the NCP, while the latter was never made a beneficiary of this electoral compromise. Patel’s most prominent complaint involved former Meghalaya NCP chief Sanbor Shullai, who was denied a ministerial post by the Congress after he was asked to resign as the deputy speaker of the Assembly.

Patel launched a series of scathing attacks against the incumbent Congress Chief Minister, Mukul Sangma and his ‘poor’ governance. He reviewed his former ally and said, “Misgovernance is of the highest order. The people are disillusioned and they are looking for change.“

Although the BJP has emerged as a significant party in the political landscape of Meghalaya, the NCP secretary views it to be a divisive party that does not support or represent the state’s unique cultural ethos. He said, “I am sure the people of Meghalaya will outrightly reject these infringements on their food habits, beliefs, religious ethos and that a befitting answer (to the BJP) will be given by the state in the coming election.” Thus, NCP feels that it provides an efficient, credible and regional alternative to the electorate of Meghalaya. By staying out of alliances with both BJP and Congress, it is projecting itself as a party that is close to the people, progressive and genuinely representative of the state’s culture.

The emerging electoral boulevards

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Tuesday launched its campaign in poll-bound Meghalaya with its national general secretary Praful Patel releasing the first list comprising six candidates. Patel said the party will contest in 22 out of 24 seats in the Garo Hills, while it will contest around 20 seats in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills region.

The NCP is garnering the support from across the political spectrum. Shortly after Saleng Sangama took over as the chief of the party, three BJP MLAs also resigned from the legislative assembly to join this party.

Several legislators have also switched allegiances and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. Chief among them is the NCP’s former chief Shullai. While the BJP and NCP are ascending the political ladders towards power, the Congress appears to be crumbling. At least three Congress Ministers, including State Congress president and four times Chief Minister D.D. Lapang, have announced that they would not contest the upcoming polls, and four former Cabinet Ministers no longer seek re-elections on Congress tickets. But the Chief Minister, Mukul Sangma, seems confident of Congress’ victory. He has claimed that Congress will come to power by securing at least 40 out of the total 60 seats in the assembly.

All set for an exciting showdown

The assembly polls in Meghalaya are scheduled for 27th February 2017. These elections will help determine the political mood in the country’s northeast as well as the relative strength of the regional and national parties. Although the Congress has enjoyed excellent support in Meghalaya in the past, its slow and stifling administration and rampant corruption are encouraging the voters to explore alternative political options. With its vigorous campaigning and credible image, the NCP may not only be successful in toppling the Congress government but also emerging as a strong regional party with widespread presence and support in Meghalaya.

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