Normally, anti-incumbency is never an issue in Autonomous District Council (ADC) elections as all political parties and candidates have a care and concern for the well-being of the ‘jaitbynriew’. But, the recently concluded election to the two ADCs is not a normal one. The anger and mistrust of the voters against NPP in particular and MDA 2.0 in general spilled into the ADCs election. As much as being a vote of hope on the VPP, it is also a vote against the state government of Meghalaya. As such, VPP cannot take the confidence of the voters for granted. The voters have turned to it for change. If the change is not delivered, it will be a betrayal of the aspirations of the voters. On the contrary, MDA 2.0 parties will be looking for any slip-ups on the part of VPP so that they can pounce on the opportunity to rebuild themselves. Meghalaya MLA election shall happen again on February/March, 2028 and if the political parties are not myopic, they would have already started preparing for it from today itself. Subsequently, the results of the ADCs election has some interesting reading –
Trading license and railways
In ADCs there is not too much of developmental schemes. Its function is more of legislation, regulation and administration. It is more concerned with doing the right things on the ground. The one critical area is the issue of trading license. None of the political parties and candidates has said much as to the administration of trading licenses. The voters also did not talk on this matter. Change will happen when the voters truly understand the factors/verticals that can lead to change. It is observed that the voters talk about change without any inclination of what/which factors (when worked upon) will result in change and that is where political parties take advantage of the electorate. Unless the workforce of the two ADCs is trained and competent nothing will change and trading licenses of even the very basic trades will have to be issued to others. Further, VPP talks about reviving the economy. How is that going to happen while it continues to oppose critical transportation infrastructure like railways? With the presence of railways many new employment opportunities will open-up in which the local youth can engage. The new KHADC EC can revisit the issue of NOC for railways.
Article 371
The narrative and counter-narrative on Article 371 between VPP and the other parties was one of the highlights of the elections. Now that the elections dust has settled, Article 371 might be put on the back-burner. Fact is, with the exception of HSPDP, all political parties were talking in favour of having Article 371 one way or the other in the past. In the recently concluded ADCs elections, it was VPP that harped on it aggressively little realizing that it clashed with their election manifesto of environmental sustainability. Ardent Basaiawmoit was very elaborate when he said that ‘we need Article 371 so that we can have access to our natural recourses so as to revive stone quarrying, etc again’. Here is the catch; inspite of such inconsistencies and faux pas, the love of the voters for VPP is to the extent that they are willing to overlook all of these red flags. It only shows how desperate the voters were for change. As one research scholar in the university quipped – ‘whatever may be their limitations or shortcomings or contradictions, I am voting for VPP as there is no other option’.
The two Deputy CMs
For Prestone Tynsong and Sniawbhalang Dhar, it was a prestige battle in KHADC and JHADC respectively. In KHADC, it was always an uphill task to win many seats. The biggest disappointment is the loss of NPP from Langkyrdem-Laitkroh constituency. The image of Prestone Tynsong has been dented without a doubt. What he does next remains to be seen. In JHADC, Sniawbhalang Dhar has been able to hold his ground this time. But, he would be a tad nervous as VPP has done really well in almost all the seats of JHADC. One factor which affected VPP in Jaintia Hills is the absence of a ‘Pnar’ star campaigner of the stature of Ardent Basaiawmoit. In some pockets, VPP is viewed as a ‘Khynriam’ party. Unsolicited advice – Andrew Shullai can take up that mantle now.
ALSO READ:
Readers’ Column || KHADC & JHADC election candidates should talk on specifics
Readers’ Column || Meghalaya’s misplaced priorities in the age of VIP culture
Image building
Politics is all about perspective. As of today, VPP is the only clean party that can do great things for the ‘jaitbynriew’. All the others are corrupt, cheats, thieves, liars, inept and anti-jaitbynriew. The chorus is that VPP wins elections without the lure of money and all the others are winning because of the power of money. The MDA 2.0 parties have to rebuild their images in the minds of the voters. This has to do with the shrugging off of the ‘high-level’ tag. In Meghalaya politics today, just bringing developmental projects is not enough. They are to be supplemented with principles of justice, fairness, honesty and ethics. A lot of soul searching is required and three years is available to do all of that.
If things stay the same
If the recently concluded ADCs results are to stand in MLA election 2028, VPP will win around 20 seats. If the momentum grows henceforth, they will win a lot more. Of course, MLA election is a different ball game altogether as Garo Hills with 24 seats is also in the picture. This time VPP does not have to involve in any form of coalition politics. In 2028 the situation will be different and its coalition politics strategy wills have to change accordingly.
In the end, the presence of VPP has shaken the political landscape of Meghalaya. What happens next? Time will tell; it always does.
(Benjamin Lyngdoh is an associate professor at NEHU, Shillong; He can be reached at blyngdoh@gmail.com)
The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of 4Front Media or its members.
