State | meghalaya
to be respected and honored. People
Fall of the titans has given chances
for fresh and young blood to rise
T
Joannes JTL Lamare
he 2008 Election to the Megha-
laya State Legislative Assembly
was a memorable one. The main
reasons were the fall of many veter-
ans and high-spirited politicians. The
main titans who fell were the MLAs
from Mylliem, Mawlai, Dienglieng,
Jowai, War-Jaintia, and other promi-
nent and key Constituencies. The rea-
sons for their downfall may be many.
But the main reason could be that the
people of these constituencies want
to see a change. Maybe, their faith in
their former representatives has faded
away. That is the reason why we are
seeing more than 20 new faces in our
Assembly today. Many of them first
timers but we saw how they managed
to beat their sitting MLAs like from
the Nongkrem, Mylliem, Nongskhen
and other constituencies. The elec-
tion saw yet another breaking point,
i.e., the highest ever voters’ turnout
in the history of Meghalaya especially
in the rural areas. Even after nearing
the stipulated time, long queues could
still be seen outside many of the poll-
ing stations in the State. This is a very
encouraging sight. Moreover with the
introduction of the Electronic Voting
Machines (EVMs), the process of vot-
ing was made easy. Time was saved
and the counting of the votes was made
more easy and fast and the results were
declared very quickly. Many of the
voters were first timers and they were
filled with excitement and enthusiasm.
That’s a very pleasing sight.
The elections to the State Assem-
bly are over. The results are out. Some
34 April 08
als enter into the Assembly then things
of the results were shocking. Some
were as expected and some were very
disappointing. Many of the sittings
MLAs were defeated — even Minis-
ters were not spared. Most shocking
were the defeat of the sitting MLAs
from Mawlai, Mylliem and some other
key constituencies who had represent-
ed their constituencies for more than
one term. However things changed
and our Assembly is now filled with
more than 23 new faces. As one critic
had pointed out, new faces need to
come in so that they can fill in new
ideas and new agendas for the welfare
of the State and its people. But let us
not be happy because new faces have
made their way into the Assembly, but
let us see them work and fulfill their
promises to the people. Many a time,
before the elections, candidates come
to the people with promises and what
they intend to do if they are voted to
power and given a chance to serve.
However, promises remain unfulfilled
and unimplemented in most cases. As
one of our politician once said, “It’s
difficult to keep all the promises that
we pledge to the people.” I agree with
what he said. It’s really difficult and
not possible to satisfy all the people
in the constituency. But what could be
done is to at least offer solutions and
ease bigger problems.
Another encouraging factor was
that new candidates participated in
the election. New faces came out to
contest the election. Many intellectu-
als contested and some of them really
made it big. That is what the State
needs – new, dynamic, charismatic
are more dynamic to lead this State so
and influential leaders coming out and
offering themselves to work for the
welfare of the state. However, in most
cases, chances were still being given
to representatives who are otherwise.
But whatever the case might be, its
too bad and late to regret. Many of the
high-spirited politicians and intellec-
tuals were not given a chance to enter
the assembly. This is however very sad
and disappointing. This can be seen
in many constituencies in the state.
Had many intelligent and deserving
candidates enter the Assembly at this
very time then it would have been bet-
ter. We saw that many experienced
politicians such as the former CEM
of KHADC, Bah H.S. Shylla, former
Home Minister Bah J.M. Pariat, for-
mer Minister Bah Martle Mukhim,
etc not making it to the Assembly this
time. However, many people from and
in the State would love to see them in
the Assembly sooner. But that depends
on the verdict of the people from their
respective constituencies.
The role of our representatives is
that they should win the confidence of
not only their supporters who choose
them but most importantly of those
who are not their supporters. If the
confidence of their non-supporters
grows, then there are chances for them
to switch sides in the next election. But
the need of the hour is that our poli-
ticians do not behave like politicians
but as statesmen; because a politician
thinks of the next election whereas a
statesman thinks of the next genera-
tion. After the conclusion of this elec-
tion, the mandate of the people needs
are tired of the old, tired, dirty and
unproductive governance of the past.
Instead they want to embrace the
new politics of hope, responsibility,
love and opportunity. There are a lot
of things that the people expect from
our leaders. They want a person who
would be able to bring about change
and help for all. The people needs a
dynamic, charismatic and an influen-
tial leader – a person who would be
able to conquer space, redeem hopes,
open new horizons and break the im-
passe for the people.
Our Assembly is now mostly filled
with young and energetic representa-
tives who want to work for the welfare
of the State. Amongst them we have
representatives from Laitumkhrah,
Nongkrem, Laban, Jaiaw, Mylliem, etc
in whom we have high hopes and ex-
pectations. But much needs to be seen
how these new faces perform in their
work. Let us see whether they give all
their heart and soul into it or not. Let
us therefore not come to any conclu-
sion at this very time, but let us render
our support, prayers, suggestions and
ideas to them. For without our support
we know that they will not be able to
stand alone.
Meghalaya is a state rich in all
aspects – raw materials, forests, wa-
ter, culture and mostly in brains. But
most of these resources still remain
untapped and unutilized. At times we
feel that we are misrepresented by our
leaders. At times we choose the wrong
person at the right place and time. At
times when we choose our representa-
tives, we choose them blindly or we
choose them because we are influ-
enced by other factors. At times we do
not think of what would happen if we
choose a wrong person. At times we
elect our leaders out of sympathy or
other deciding factors. But how many
times do we the voters think before
voting for a person. This is the state
of affairs in our state. Intellectuals do
not find their way to the law making
body in the state. Had these intellectu-
would have been much different. More
chances should be given to far more
better and intelligent people to enter
the law making body so that new ideas
could be initiated and debated. We see
in western countries that young poli-
ticians are doing really great. We see
that in France, United Kingdom, USA,
Germany, etc young leaders with vi-
sions, missions and determinations
rule their nations and because they can
think and work actively, their nations
rank amongst the best.
In the 2008 election mandate, the
people have spoken and we see that
there is a lone female representative,
Kong Ampareen Lyngdoh, in the As-
sembly from Laitumkhrah Constitu-
ency. Being the lone female member
in the Assembly means a lot. The eyes
of the women folk of the State rest on
her. Expectations are high and a lot of
questions are being asked. “Will she be
an Iron Lady?” “What is her stand and
what are the issues that she will take
up in the Assembly to improve the liv-
ing status of the women folk?” Well for
those of us who knows her, we know
that she is able and capable. She is well
qualified and aware of important issues
that loom over the society. We know
that if she wants to work, she can. She
has a voice and that voice needs to be
heard. It will be a tough job for her to
deal especially in an atmosphere where
the men folk dominate. But we know
that quantity does not matter all the
time, what is important is the quality.
Being in the minority is never a minus
point, but at times it adds up to greater
heights. And we have seen such cases
in the past. Our State has produced
great women like Kong Roshan Warjri
and others who have brought glory to
the State. We salute them and their
great efforts.
The question that I want to ask is
where and how do you rate Megha-
laya at present? Are we satisfied to
see our state at its present position? If
no, then what do we do? Shouldn’t we
give chances to people who we think
State | meghalaya
that we can see our State amongst the
best? Shouldn’t we give a chance to the
fallen titans? We know that deep down
inside of us we regret not seeing the
great titans in the Assembly. But its
never too late for us not to see them in
our Assembly next time. Some of these
titans we know are really dynamic and
tough people and only heaven knows
what would happen if they get into
the law making body of the State. We
know that they can really shake the
assembly as we have seen them done
before. They are the assets of the state,
especially if they are among the 60.
There are great minds in our state
that need to be groomed and trained so
that they will take charge in the near
future, our young minds needs to be
appreciated and given a chance to lead
for our future is at stake, if the youths
of today do not take the stand then who
will. Its better to be prepare right from
now so that we do not have to worry
later. Are our intellectuals, youths and
high-spirited politicians ready to make
a stand for change? Our future will be
better than today and tomorrow if the
three come together and work unitedly
for the betterment of all sections of so-
ciety not thinking of their self-interest.
Only then we will be able to shine in a
blaze of glory and our state will stand
tall and be respected.
Once again before I conclude, I of-
fer my regards and best wishes to all
the members of the newly elected As-
sembly and we once again urge them
to set aside their self-interests and
work for the benefit and welfare of
all. If one works for the greater good
of all, one’s name will never be wiped
out of history.
(The writer is a former publicity
secretary of NSUI, Meghalaya Unit.
The views and opinions expressed in
this column are personal and do not
reflect the opinion and ideas of any
political group or party. For comments
one may contact the writer at 98622-
03117)
April 08 35