By The Editor
Less than three weeks are left for Meghalaya to go to the polls on February 27 in which people will elect their respective MLAs (Members of Legislative Assembly) whose total strength is 60. Various political parties, national as well as regional, besides some independents are in the fray each justifying their own ideologies and raising protest against opponents. Battle of words between rival camps of NPP (National People’s Party) and TMC (Trinamool Congress) is becoming more often and at times toxic with those from other parties also not lagging behind. On Thursday February 2, NPP national president and Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma questioned TMC leader Dr. Mukul Sangma’s decision to contest from two constituencies – Songsak and Tikrikilla – saying that the move will get people to ‘see through him’. During campaign at Tikrikilla, Conrad Sangma asked the public to question about intention of Dr. Mukul Sangma who shifted from Ampati to Songsak and now to Tikrikilla which shows the latter’s lack of confidence. People cannot therefore be taken for granted any longer and hence requested voters to shift allegiance from TMC the West Bengal-based party to the NPP which will be able to form stable and strong government.
Immediately the following day February 3 TMC Legislature Party leader Dr. Mukul Sangma demanded apology from Conrad Sangma for his racial remarks against Meghalaya TMC for calling it ‘Bengali party’ and to which chief minister reiterated that he never said so but instead termed it as ‘Bengal-based party’. He also used the term ‘outside party’ which he based on analogy of Mamata Banerjee TMC supremo who in last West Bengal elections termed all national and other parties out of the state which entered West Bengal for elections as outsiders. On February 2, TMC leader from West Jaintia Hills district and MDC (Member of District Council) of JHADC (Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council) Andrew Shullai took a dig at NPP for collaborating with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2018 despite increase in attacks on Christians since it assumed power at the Centre in 2014. He called it an unholy alliance and claimed that NPP is B- team of BJP. He dared the NPP that if it is really for interest and welfare of people then it should not have been allies with BJP. Unlike NPP, he concluded that TMC is the only party to voice concerns of the people of Meghalaya.
Speaking to reporters same day on February 2, NPP vice- president and Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong claimed that NPP is confident of winning majority to form government on its own strength because of its good works for benefit of people during last five years. He also said that post poll, Opposition leader Dr. Mukul Sangma will join BJP which was immediately denied asserting that it is NPP’s propaganda.