LETTER FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

December is a month which is well celebrated in the Hill region of North Eastern Region particularly in the states of Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland. These states are Christian dominated and celebrate Christmas in a befitting manner. The temperature is low and people enjoy wearing warm clothes. Coming back to home, i.e Meghalaya, where winter is at its peak, but the political heat is very high.

Our cover story this month is on how overnight Trinamool Congress (TMC) became the main Opposition Party in Meghalaya. The TMC which did not even have a single member in Meghalaya is the largest Opposition party today. The answers are not difficult to search. The bankruptcy of leadership in the Congress Party is the cause of rise of BJP and other Opposition Parties in Meghalaya and PAN India.

Earlier in North East, the tall personality like Himanata Biswa Sarma who is now the Chief Minister of Assam has left the Congress for its different attitude of the party. This was followed by Smt Sushmita Deb who was the President of All India Mahila Congress Committee and a member of Rajya Sabha, left the Congress and joined the TMC. This of course was followed by the former Chief Minister of Meghalaya Dr. Mukul Sangma and party. There were many in the national scene who has migrated from Congress to other party.

A Democracy cannot be strong or vibrant, unless it has a strong Opposition Party. Congress as Opposition has failed. The Opposition’s main role is to question the government of the day and hold them accountable to the public.

It is their primary role to fix the mistake of the party. It is a welcome step, if the opposition enters into constructive criticism, so as the ruling party do not make any mistake. Unfortunately, this is not happening. Issues concerning people have not been raised in the parliament. Contrary to this, when the BJP was in opposition, they were very vocal in raising issues in the Parliament. In 1973, the then government raised the Petrol price by just 7 paise a litre, which was protested by the then Leader of Opposition Atal Bihari Vajpayee who travelled to the Parliament on a Bullock Cart. At that time, Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister of India.

Coming back to Meghalaya, the election in 2023 is going to be very interesting. The four different parties will be the active player. They include National People’s Party (NPP), Indian National Congress (INC), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Trinamool Congress (TMC), besides a number of Regional Parties. It is not known, who will cut whose vote. A little swing, either way, will change the results of the Assembly Elections. Is there something to worry for Mr. Conrad Sangma? Only time will tell. But we only hope that the entry of TMC should not come in the state of Meghalaya in a manner as elections are fought in West Bengal and Tripura.

There is no doubt that Mamata Banerjee is emerging as a tall leader and is all out to spread her wings beyond Bengal. In the absence of any visible face of Opposition, Mamata Banerjee may be the choice of 2024 elections.

Let’s wait and watch…………  

Dr. K.K.Jhunjhunwala