Here is a case for tit for tat, when an independent member of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, from the Baghmara constituency, Samuel Sangma, files a counter FIR, against a villager. The villager identified as Akang Marak, raised the question and allegation against the legislative member, that he had done nothing for the development of the constituency. The legislator instead of replying, physically assaulted the villager. According to the complain of the villager, one person who was with him, was also assaulted by the legislator. The legislator said he had gone for taking part in a festival and was pushed by a person, who was seemingly intoxicated.
It seems however that legislators are now involved in brawls and not only debate, which would certainly not be conducive, to built up an atmosphere, between the electors and the elected, in the run up to the 2018 elections.
Teibor Pathaw of the People’s Democratic Front (PDF) will face a tough battle against sitting UDP MLA Embhahlang Syiemlieh in the 2018 polls. He was chosen as the party’s candidate during a zonal committee meeting held at Mawlai Mawdatbaki. Pathaw promises to initiate corpus fund for the poor families and will bring central schemes for the development of the constituency. On elected Pathaw will open a charitable trust to assist the poor and the needy.
The General Secretary of the party Auspicious Lyngdoh Mawphlang said, “If PDF comes to power we will empower the poor and the needy, agriculture policy will be discussed with farmer and youth policy will be discussed with the youth. Pathaw previously had contested in the 2013Assembly elections as an independent candidate but only came second.
In the upcoming elections Pathaw will face a tough battle against sitting Congress MDC Process T. Sawkmie and Sarita Nongpiur the wife of late Founder Cajee who is contesting as an independent candidate.
Mukul Sangma, the head of state of Meghalaya, who came into the political scene in 1993, elected to the state legislature, as an independent from the Ampatigiri constituency in the Garo Hills, claimed the political leader to become Chief Minister, is now in the helm of political developments, whether he can steer the Congress to the victory stand in the ensuing 2018 general elections of the State Assembly. The present Chief Minister and leader of a national party, has an advantage, specially being a ruling party, though heading a coalition government known as the Meghalaya United Alliance (MUA), which include regional parties, such as the United Democratic Party (UDP) and others.
Mukul Sangma had passed the test of being elected as a Congress candidate in 1998, 2003, 2008, 2013 and was first given the responsibility of being the Home Minister and also Education, under the D.D.Lapang Ministry in 2005. Another up gradation of Mukul Sangma, was his appointment as Deputy Chief Minister in 2005. Yet here followed by one of his down-fall, when he had to resign, following a police firing killing five persons at Williamnagar in East Garo Hills District and four persons in Tura and that about 100 persons were injured, in an agitation against a state level committee recommendations on the restructuring of the Meghalaya Board of Secondary Education (MBOSE).
Senior and veteran politician leader, Deathwell D. Lapang, former Chief Minister, had ruled the roost, in the Nongpoh constituency of Ri Bhoi. He was first elected to the Meghalaya State Assembly in 1972. Since then there was no turning back. However ironically, when the Ri Bhoi district came into being in June 1992, Lapang lost his seat as member of the Assembly : However subsequently he regained popularity and power, and is set to contest in the ensuing 2018 elections.
A storm is however gathering to disturt the fortune of D.D. Lapang, as his strong lieutenants within the Congress Party, have deserted him and joined the National Peoples Party (NPP), including Constantine Lyngdoh, former President of Nongpoh Block Congress Committee, being the only person to have defeated D.D. Lapang.
Nongpoh Congress leaders who have deserted the party, have however no hard feelings towards D.D. Lapang, but for the “Dictatorial attitude” of the present Chief Minister Mukul Sangma.
Whether Congress veteran, had already conceded defeat from his Nongpoh stronghold. Being President of the Meghalaya Pradesh, Congress Committee, D.D Lapang would be the first person to congratulate C.B.Syiem, his main adversary during the ensuing State Legislative Assembly elections of Meghalaya. Lapang said, C.B Syiem was his co-party worker for more than 45 years until he left the party only the other day. C B Syiem had joined the National People’s Party.
D.D.Lapang further said, win or lose, it all depend on the voters of Nongpoh, being the nerve centre of Ri Bhoi, yet does not mind in shaking hands with C.B.Syiem, if he is defeated in the electoral contest.
The Government of India has made public names of 55,000 directors of shell companies across the country. Surprisingly Northeastern states have also been featured in the list released by the Union Corporate Affairs Ministry. It has brought “Name and Shame” where multiple names from the Northeast, India have come out in the exercise by the Centre in the racket involving shell companies. Disqualified under Section 164 (2)(A) of the Companies Act, 2013, these directors/promoters cannot float new companies or be appointed in any other company in similar capacity.
On 12th September 2017, Ministry of Corporate Affairs statement revealed that 1.06 lakh directors of ‘shell companies’ have been identified for disqualification under the relevant provisions of the Companies Act, 2013. Government has taken an initiative to break down the network of ‘shell companies’ to fight against black money/money laundering.
The Mahila Congress of Umroi Constituency elected Rikynti Syiem as the president, and Iohlinda Malngiang as general secretary. A total of six vice presidents which include Esternlin Kharsati, Albina Marpan, Meshilda Lyngdoh, Probina Pasi, Dreamtimai Makri, and Rosalin Kharmawlong were elected.
The objective of forming the Mahila Committee was to donate money to the Congress candidate George B. Lyngdoh to spread a message and to inspire voters in other constituencies to vote with conscience and not by getting bribed or asking money from the candidates. George B Lyngdoh is the eldest son of former Chief Minister late E.K. Mawlong who had represented Umroi constituency in the past. George will contest from Umroi constituency against the present MLA Ngaitlang Dhar who is one of the richest MLAs in Meghalaya.
This is the second incident where people are collecting money for their candidates in order to contest in the upcoming election, the first incident happen earlier this month in Sohiong constituency where people collected money for their candidates. This is a lesson learnt for those who think that many people would vote only for candidates who can throw a lot of money during elections these two incidents prove otherwise. “By collecting donation for our candidate, we want to send a strong message that people of Umroi need to elect their MLA who is qualified and based on wisdom and conscience without getting influenced by money or ask money from the candidate,” said one of the donors.
The Mahila Congress women recalled by saying that in the past we had a number of intellectuals and statesmen in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly but today the State Assembly seemed to have become a house of business people.
The Mahila Members emphasized the need to bring change in the constituency by electing a representative who can make laws and policies for the benefit of the people and overall development in the constituency and the state as a whole. They also decided to spread the message to the nooks and corners of the constituency to denounce money power during election and vote for Lyngdoh as the MLA of Umroi, who can make laws and policies for the interest of the state and the constituency.
Referring to (Dhar) The Mahila President Rikynti Syiem said we need to reverse this trend since innocent voters have been fooled during elections by various candidates especially candidates who are businessmen. Meanwhile Lyngdoh assured the people of Umroi that if elected he would work hard to uplift the constituency which still requires a lot of development and find out ways and means for providing livelihood to the people including the youth and the poor.
The Garo National Council (GNC) in a statement said it will give out form for its aspirant candidate on the 21st October in order to prepare for the 2018 Election. Speaking at the meeting the Vice President Mr. Agustine Marak said the party has already forms its Election Committee with Mr. Henington R. Marak as its chairman, Wining Ch. Marak as its Co-Chairman and Mr. H.A Marak as its Secretary. The Party is preparing to win maximum number of seats in the Garo Hills region by contesting in 7 constituencies in the region.
Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, from the Baghmara constituency, 
Samuel Sangma, files a counter FIR, against a villager. The villager identified as Akang Marak, raised the question and allegation against the legislative member, that he had done nothing for the development of the constituency. The legislator instead of replying, physically assaulted the villager. According to the complain of the villager, one person who was with him, was also assaulted by the legislator. The legislator said he had gone for taking part in a festival and was pushed by a person, who was seemingly intoxicated.
