By The Editor
National People’s Party (NPP) has emerged triumphant in 2023 state election held on February 27 and with 26 seats is the single largest party, and with the support of two BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party), two Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) and two Independent legislators now enjoys a comfortable majority in the 60-member House, excluding Sohiong Assembly Constituency where election was adjourned due to death of United Democratic Party candidate HDR Lyngdoh on February 20, and has duly staked claim to form the next government. The governor. on his part, has also invited them to form the government.
After polling process has been completed and before counting day on March 2, exit polls of three prominent organisations had forecast that the NPP will be the single largest party with about 22-26 seats. The IPAC (Indian Political Action Committee) country’s best known professional election strategists headed by Prashant Kishore and which was hired by Trinamool Congress (TMC) rejected it outright. In the last state assembly election 2018 NPP got 19 seats whereas the Indian National Congress (INC) secured 21 which was the highest followed by UDP (United Democratic Party) with 6, BJP 2 and others 12. According to exit polls prediction this time too it will be coalition government in spite of reservations by some. Since 1978 Meghalaya had coalition governments and now it will not be different. So far only VPP (Voice of the People Party) headed by Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit, who won from Nongkrem, said that it is not ready to work with NPP.
In 51 years of Meghalaya’s statehood, Jaintia Hills region had never elected any female candidate though some had in the past tried unsuccessfully. At long last it got its first woman representative to the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly which is indeed a memorable occasion and had also created history. What is even more remarkable is that young Santa Mary Shylla, NPP candidate from Sutnga-Saipung constituency, East Jaintia Hills district and that too being her maiden attempt could defeat both the Congress Lok Sabha MP (Member of Parliament) Vincent H. Pala and UDP sitting MLA Shitlang Pale. Shylla secured 16,974 votes and her nearest rival Pala got 15,142 the difference being 1,828. It may be added that Congress could not manage to win even a single seat from East and West Jaintia Hills districts, while NPP getting 4 and UDP 3 out of total 7 seats.
Coincidentally, Nagaland on March 2 also made history when first two women lawmakers Hekhani Jakhalu and Salhoutuonuo Kruse of ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) both greenhorns in politics were elected defeating sitting MLAs in Western Angami and Dimapur – III seats respectively. On the basis of the results being declared earlier in the day Jakhalu is regarded as first woman and Kruse as second woman in Nagaland Assembly. Jakhalu defeated her nearest rival and sitting MLA by 1,536 votes and Kruse was ahead of her nearest rival and sitting legislator by 7 votes. Congress party in Nagaland was totally wiped out.