Letter from the Editor-in-Chief
Dear friends
February 2013
Elections is the manifestation of people’s choice with regards to their representatives. Elections are due in three north-eastern states viz. Meghalaya, Tripura and Nagaland.
Election spirit has still not reached its peak in Meghalaya, except for the surprising fact that this time we have family members contesting along and against themselves in order to win the wheels of fortune. Meghalaya has seen as many as four Governments and a short span of President’s rule in the last five years. Inspite of the fact that Congress had twenty-five members in a house of sixty members; it could not bring political stability in the state, which brings me to quote ‘The Father of our Nation’ - Mahatma Gandhi who said, “A politician needs the ability to foretell what is going to happen tomorrow, next week, next month and next year. And to have the ability afterwards to explain why it didn’t happen.” The last appointee, Dr. Mukul Sangma, however, did a lot of patch work by speeding up developmental projects. This may give an edge to the Congress party. On the other hand, P.A.Sangma formed a new political party called the National Peoples Party (NPP) after resigning from the National Congress Party (NCP). Mr.P.A.Sangma and company have a strong presence and influence in Garo Hills, but to what extent they will be able to persuade the voters to vote for them is a real political test. How the book will replace the clock is still to be seen. The re-demarcation of the legislative assembly boundary in the state has also changed the profile of voters. However, a few high profile politicians have joined the Samajwadi Party of Muliam Singh Yadav in the state and are contesting on few seats. In addition to this, there is an internal conflict between two political parties i.e. between the Indian National Congress (INC) and the United Democratic Party (UDP). Many politicians have migrated from one party to another. Each party is also having internal politics whereby they try to supersede each other. All this suggest that the state is once again riding on the path of a coalition government. We’ll have to wait and watch for the outcome which will be presented by the results of the elections.
The second state Tripura is also going on the polls on the 14th February, 2013 for a 60 seat assembly which is currently having the Left Front Government, under the leadership of Mr.Manik Sarkar. In contrast to Meghalaya, the state has seen a stable government and a clean image of Mr.Manik Sarkar. This will add some advantage to the Left. The demoralizing news for the Left is that, this time the Congress have developed a strategic plot by joining hands with the Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura (INPT) in 11 seats and National Conference of Tripura (NCT) for the lone seat of Ramchandraghat. This may help in the consolidation of an anti-Left vote. Nevertheless, the internal conflict in Congress, just before the elections and the resignation of its General Secretary, Pradyot Kishore ManIkya, may add to the benefit of Manik Sarkar’s government. It is also interesting to note that Manik Sakar is one politician for whom the election is not the wheel of fortune.
Elections in Nagaland will be held on Feb 23. The Nagaland has seen a stable government during last five years and a clear mandate of electoral is expected in Nagaland. The peace talk episode will also be a factor in Nagaland. The ruling Nagaland people’s front appears to be front runners. Only time will tell the fate of Nagaland. Let us wait and watch what happens.