Tripura Assembly Election will take place on February 18, this year. Will the Communist Party of India (Marxist) retain power for the fifth time around, or it will be a replica of what had happened to the party in West Bengal in 2011 assembly poll, in which the CPI (M)-led Left Front had to face the ignominious defeat at the hands of Trinamul Congress led by Mamata Banerjee? This tiny north-east state has become a citadel for the Left, which is likely to return to power for the eight successive times around.
The beleaguered Congress party has at last woken up from its slumber as the High Command has shaken up the election Machinery headed by the new party President Celestine Lyngdoh replacing D.D.Lapang who was a five time Chief Minister representing Nongpoh constituency being the hub of Ri-Bhoi District. D.D. Lapang has however been included in the thirteen member congress election committee including the Lok Sabha representative Vincent Pala and also Roytre C. Laloo who has refrained himself in contesting the polls from Jowai constituency. The committee has in all thirteen members including Chief Minister Mukul Sangma and other members representing the two region of the state, the Garo Hills and the Khasi-Jaintia Hills.
OnePlus presents Alcheringa 2018, driven by Hero MotoCorp, sweetened by Brown Creams, educated by Bhadra IAS, powered By Vh1 and Colors Infinity, co-presented by The Assam Tribune and in association with G PLUS, Manikchand Jewellers &Doreka is by far the largest cultural festival of North-East India and since its inception has entered its 22nd edition. Alcheringa provides a national level platform for participants and enjoys a footfall of 80000 people and participation from over 400 colleges.
The theme for this edition of Alcheringa is 'Echoes of Innocence'. The idea of Echoes of Innocence is to take everyone to one of their favourite stages of life, Childhood. Echoes of Innocence is a small insight to each of ours's past, a short trip through our childhood; where there are no worries, we all feel safe, full of curiosity, filled with innocence and the feeling of absolute bliss.
This edition, Alcheringa is hosting an exhibition of the North-East to showcase the cultures of the eight states of the North-East through performances of traditional dance and music. There shall also be exhibitions of the handicrafts and hand-looms of various states during the duration of the festival. The North East Expo Stage will be graced by performances of AphiloKuwo – A dance form from Nagaland, LebangBhoomani Dance – A harvest dance form from Tripura and the Wari, Octaves Foundation presenting some Manipuri Folk Tales.
This year Alcheringa will be hosting 4 different professional nights of 4 completely different genres. Indian classical music maestros and brothers Ganesh – Kumaresh as pre-headliners and the Legendary Padma Shree Awardee, UstaadShahidParvez Khan, pioneer of ‘Hindustani Classical Music’ will perform on the Opening Night of Saaz- The Classical Night on the 1st of February.Viacom presents Juggernaut will be headlined by a rising Alternative Rock band from Chennai, The F16’s on 2nd February. Maruti Suzuki – Colours of Youth presents Crescendo headlined by the dynamic Bollywood duoVishal – Shekhar on 3rd February.Lastly Blitzkrieg, the surprise night with an opening act from the Portuguese House Producer Diego Miranda and one of the most entertaining live acts ever by the Australian House Producers Mashd N Kucherto end the show this edition.
Apart from this as a part of our world carnival we have performers fromthree different countries. 1. CorvoNuno Flores, Portuguese Violinist 2. LimorBallas, Singer from Israel 3. Christian, BrockGuitarist from Denmark.
Other interesting attractions in this edition of Alcheringa include the IITG Model United Nations – that emulates actual councils of the United Nations. This year for the very first time we’regonna have a committee simulating the Lok Sabha. The North East Social Entrepreneurial Summit provides a platform for social entrepreneurs to share and discuss ideas that affect the North-Eastern states, and Parliamentary Debate – where participants become MPs and debate on respective concerns.
National People’s Party (NPP) is marching ahead with other national parties, as inspite of declaration of election on 27 February 2018 in the state of Meghalaya, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has failed to finalize its list of candidates (upto 2 February 2018), thus creating confusion in the minds of the voters on one hand and making its candidates nervous on the other. NPP on the other side is gaining momentum.
In the very tricky political chessboard of India, the dynastic game of Congress, this time appears to have kissed the dust.The reason? The reason is the “Son” could not rise in Himachal Pradesh despite the fact that it was ruled by the Congress. The“Son” also failed to cash upon the anti-incumbency factor in Gujarat to justify his elevation as Congress super-boss.
In Indian politics, everyone takes it for granted that the “Sons” of political families would rise. Some rose, but mostly they set like the sun. Much hope was pinned on “Son” Rahul Gandhi by the supporters of Congress who expected him to rise like the Sun. But he failed. The Congress is now ruling only in four states: Karnataka, Meghalaya, Punjab and Mizoram.
Failure of the “Son” is on two counts: Firstly, he flopped to retain Himachal and secondly, he fumbled to foment the antiincumbency factor in Gujarat, although he had tremendous political scopes to reap the benefits from anti-incumbency in Gujarat and retention of Himachal (being a ruling party).