Editor,
Except for the BJP, almost all major political parties in Meghalaya are geared up and have already announced their candidates for the General Elections to the ensuing Lok Sabha scheduled to be held sometime in April or early May. We electors have now already read the political situations in our country, which way the wind blows and how it will impact the next five years or more in this country.
Now, coming to the candidates, the ruling NPP has put up its formidable candidates Ampareen Lyngdoh and Agatha Sangma, both ladies, from 1-Shillong and 2-Tura Parliamentary Constituencies respectively. The opposition Congress has announced the names of Vincent Pala and Saleng Sangma as their candidates from Shillong and Tura seats respectively. The UDP too has nominated the former HYC President Robertjune Kharjahrin from the Shillong seat. UDP has not named any one so far to contest from Tura seat. Perhaps it knows that it is in a very weak wicket to bat on or other political considerations with its major MDA partner.
The comparatively brand new political party, the Voice of the People’s Party (VPP) which has aroused the minds and hearts of the youth and rural folks, has set up dynamic Dr. Ricky A J Syngkon. Another prominent aspiring MP candidate is NEHU Prof. Lakhon Kma who has also widely announced himself through the media that he is determined to enter the fray of the Lok Sabha from Shillong seat. However, he has not revealed which party he is going to contest.
Till today, only the BJP has not announced its candidates both from Shillong and Tura Parliamentary Constituencies. Perhaps the BJP Meghalaya Mandal has not got its suitable undertakers to be in the ring. However, top BJP brass of Meghalaya has left the matter to the BJP high command in New Delhi. Perhaps the State BJP here is not sure who to recommend for contesting the ensuing elections from both seats.
Judging from the present political scenario in all states in India, the BJP is almost certain to cross the majority mark if not 370 seats in the Lok Sabha as stated by the PM in the House and he is certain to get the third term in office.
As far as Meghalaya is concerned, who of the above candidates will win from which seat we cannot predict. Only Mr. Pala has represented the Shillong seat for three terms and people of this constituency have seen or at least heard about him if not all. He is not at all dynamic and vocal in Lok Sabha like other parliamentarians of other states. He rarely rose to speak and he is not effective at all and brought nothing much at table for this constituency except for MPLADS which any MP is entitled to. We are living witnesses to his ineffectiveness. The less we talk about him the better.
There are many candidates in the fray now, men and one woman as of now in this constituency, who are more efficient and more capable than the sitting one whom we can choose from this time round, keeping in mind that whoever we elect will surely bring change for the betterment of this constituency. I also appeal to my fellow electors of 2-Tura Parliamentary Constituency to judiciously choose your MP candidate by judging him or her all round by casting aside other extraneous considerations.
Philip Marweiñ,
Sr. Journalist,
Shillong.
