A review of the campaigning style and content of the parties and candidates to the KHADC and JHADC election scheduled for 21st February, 2025 highlights that it is more of rhetoric and taunt with very little substance.
The VPP is using its usual narrative of clean politics and added with ‘if we are given to govern in the two ADCs this term then in the year 2028 MLA election it is a given that they would come to power as the voters would have seen its good governance for three years’.
No doubt, it is an interesting and powerful political pitch. The NPP is counting on state-level double engine governance by winning in the ADCs as well and that would cement the continuation of their good works, which they have always claimed to have been doing.
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How deep will this sink into the voters’ psyche where the majority are struggling for a proper livelihood remains to be seen?
The Congress continues to portray itself as the only party which has always fought for and protected the rights and liberties of the indigenous people of Meghalaya. The UDP and HSPDP never fails to call themselves as champions of the tribals while claiming to be the real regional parties of Meghalaya and solely responsible for the establishment of the self-governing autonomous state within Assam on 2nd April 1970 and then a full-fledged state on 21st January 1972. Although true, in recent months, its voter base has shifted to other parties.
What is missing under all the rhetoric and oneupmanship are the specifics of governance under the ADCs? This is what matters. Then only the voters will make an informed decision.
The campaigning and debates have to move from generic statements to specific discourse on their stand for certain important subjects.
Some specifics are –
Trading license
There have been instances of non-tribals starting their businesses without a trading license, instances of non-renewal (and even tampering of validity) and the majority does not hang their trading license in shop walls, etc. In addition, the real trading license issue is how will the new EC govern the issuance of trading licenses? What will be its policy? Will it be issued to non-tribals only for trades that the locals cannot undertake or will it be issued to all who apply and let the market competition decide who is a success/failure? The parties/candidates must make their stand clear.
Education
As on 23rd January, 2025 the KHADC says ‘because of limited financial resources at the disposal of the ADCs of Meghalaya, the subject of primary education has since been handed over to the state government’ and the JHADC says ‘at present there is no financial assistance from the government for the development of primary schools’. Education requires a multi-pronged approach which is holistic and, no doubt, the ADCs have a role to play particularly in the villages. Till date, no one has ever spoken on this important issue.
Railways
The ADCs have always thrown railway connectivity to the state government. It is to be noted that they have always played safe by hiding themselves from the controversy. In Meghalaya today, not everyone is against railways as they see the economic benefits that come with it as against the misleading claims of challenges. Parties and candidates must urgently state their positions on this critical issue to allow voters to decide. The time to play safe is over and all must make a stand.
Arts and culture, and youth affairs
As on 23rd January, 2025, the KHADC website has no information/content to share on these two critical elements of development. The JHADC website too does not have anything meaningful to share either. This is really interesting as culture and the arts are supposed to be the bedrock of ADC elections, their governance and performance. What steps will the political parties and candidates take to improve the well-being of the youth in terms of arts and culture? Does anyone dare to make their stand clear?
Water resources
Here, fishery occupies the major content. It is known by all that the fish we consume (including all other meat consumables) is brought from outside Meghalaya. This problem also presents as an opportunity for self-sufficiency through domestic production of fish and also providing widespread employment to the youth. Or is a fish pond/scheme only meant for gambling? Will someone care to make a statement on their way forward?
Unless the voters force the political parties to speak on specific developmental interventions, the electoral politics will continue to be just a festival with no tangible development outcomes. When will the voters awake?
(Benjamin Lyngdoh, NEHU, Shillong can be reached at email – blyngdoh@gmail.com)
The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of 4Front Media or its members.
