By the Editor
After hiccups, the five Congress MLAs finally jumped on the bandwagon of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) led by the National People’s Party (NPP). In a letter signed by them and handed over to the NPP supremo Conrad K Sangma on February 8, they clearly stated that they wished to “strengthen the government’s arms and decision-making for the welfare and progress of the state and its people”. The decision taken at the level of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) was termed by the Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Chief (MPCC) Vincent H Pala as “anti-party” and hence necessary disciplinary action will be taken. Hinting at the callous attitude and dictation by the High Command, the CLP leader, Ampareen Lyngdoh, added that they are the ones who fight the elections and that no external forces will decide for them. P T Sawkmie went a step further by saying that it is the issue of the CLP and the All India Congress Committee (AICC) has no right at all to tell them what to do and what not to do. The action was aggravated by that of the 12 Congress MLAs, led by Dr Mukul Sangma, who had joined the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) in December last year.
When Meghalaya attained statehood in 1972, the government was led by the single largest party, the All Party Hills Leaders’ Conference (APHLC) under the chief ministership of Captain Williamson A Sangma uninterruptedly until the end of 1976 and who, after the split in the party during the same year, continued as Congress Chief Minister and successfully completed his term in 1978. From then onwards, coalition governments started and since then not a single party could form the government either. Credit for the success of the coalition government goes to two veteran leaders Capt. W A Sangma of the Congress from Garo Hills and B B Lyngdoh of the APHLC from Khasi Hills. During 1979-1981, B B Lyngdoh was the Chief Minister and Capt. W A Sangma was the Chairman of Meghalaya State Planning Board (MSPB) with Chief Minister rank. The Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) led by another veteran leader, Hoping Stone Lyngdoh, supported the government. From thence onward, coalition governments in the state were inevitable.
In a democracy, it is the people who decide the fate of the leaders to be elected during general election. It is, therefore, right and proper that citizens who are eligible to vote be fully aware of their responsibility. Politics is unavoidable, no matter what one may say, because it affects the lives of everyone, every day. One year more remains until the next general assembly elections and within a short time the contestants will have to face the challenge. It is a gigantic task for these MLAs who have switched allegiance recently, and for them the struggle for survival is immense. The electorate cannot be taken for granted anymore.