Hoping to make history in Nagaland are four women candidates
At 6:30 on Thursday evening, 48-year-old Hekani Jakhalu sat with her head bowed as residents of Wungram Colony in Dimapur, led by their pastor, prayed for her at a small, dimly-lit community centre. More than half of those at the centre were women, gathered to express their support for a candidate trying to make history by becoming the first woman elected to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
Jakhalu, contesting from the Dimapur-III constituency on a ticket of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) is one of only four women in the fray this time. The NDPP leads the Opposition-less government in Nagaland and is in a pre-poll alliance with the BJP.
The four might appear just a speck among the 184 candidates contesting for the 60 seats in Nagaland, but in the days leading up to polling on February 27, there is a strong air of anticipation that this time, after 14 Assembly elections, Nagaland might finally get at least one woman MLA.
Meghalaya in numbers: BJP aims to break regional outfits’ hold but can it break through?
Meghalaya, which votes on February 27, was granted statehood on January 21, 1972, and since then it has seen 10 Assembly elections.
Regional parties and Independents have remained consistent in their influence in the House over the years. The Congress was once a solid presence but is now faced with a weak organisation after being affected by a series of desertions. Just ahead of the elections, the BJP said it would contest the elections on its own and not with the National People’s Party (NPP) with which it was part of a ruling alliance for the last five years.
BJP and Congress
The BJP’s decision to go solo is a significant move for the party, considering its electoral performance in the state has not been particularly impressive so far.
Since 1993, when it made its debut in the Meghalaya Assembly elections, the party has contested six elections. However, its seat tally and vote share have remained dismal.
In Meghalaya, Zee Matrize gives 21-26 seats to the ruling NPP in the 60-member house. BJP to get 6-11 seats, Congress 3-6 seats and Trinamool Congress 8-13 seats
Tripura, Meghalaya, Nagaland exit polls: Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland are the first states to go to the polls this year and the ruling and opposition parties, and political pundits have a keen eye on the results. Although the three states will only get a new government till March 2, the exit polls, which will be declared today after 7 pm, will be closely observed by the contesting parties.
monthly limit of free stories.
with an Express account.
While the BJP aims to consolidate its position in the Northeast, it is definitely looking at a stiff fight from the regional powers. Tripura, in 2018, had seen a major shift in its political structure as the BJP besieged the Left bastion, winning 44 of the 60 Assembly seats. However, this year, the party is facing stiff resistance from Pradyot Debbarma-led Tipra Motha, which enjoys support among the tribals. Read more.
With the Meghalaya elections underway, Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma was seen casting his vote in his constituency of South Tura in the Garo Hills.
Former Meghalaya CM and TMC Candidate from Tikrikilla and Songsak Dr Mukul Sangma cast his vote. (Picture credit: TMC Meghalaya)
The Leader of the Opposition and ex-chief minister, Mukul Sangma, 57, is the face of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in its campaign for the 27 February Meghalaya Assembly elections. Mukul and the TMC are perceived to be synonymous in the state — so much so that the Mamata Banerjee-led party’s entire plunge into the Assembly polls is centred on the former’s leadership. He The Indian Express on a range of issues, including the TMC’s poll prospects. Excerpts:
You have been a Congressman for most of your political career. What made you leave the party?
The purpose of being in Congress was to serve the interest of the people…that encompasses people from all walks of life, all backgrounds — linguistic, cultural, religious. But the Congress was not living up to this expectation, even after repeated reminders from all of us who were once a part of it. If you do not want to prepare yourself to take on the might of the BJP and their agenda… If you cannot protect and preserve the spirit of our democracy, then what is the point? You cannot use kid gloves when you are in the boxing ring…and get knocked out! Tora Agarwala writes...
? A party needs to win at least 31 seats to win the majority mark in Meghalaya.
? In the 2018 election, the NPP won 19 seats and the BJP won two seats, while the United Democratic Party (UDP) emerged victorious in six constituencies.
? Although the Congress emerged as the largest single party with 21 seats, the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA), came to power with support from BJP, UDP, and other regional parties.
Free coaching for competitive exams, establishment of “constituency clinics”, improvement of relations between Khasis and non-Khasis – these are among the poll promises being made by some candidates in Meghalaya in the run-up to the February 27 Assembly elections.
These pledges, however, do not feature in the official manifesto of any major party. They are constituency-specific “micro manifestos” released by several candidates on an individual basis. Tora Agarwala writes...
When the Rising People’s Party (RPP) was officially registered by the Election Commission (EC) two years ago, making it Nagaland’s newest political party, there was a heady buzz of idealism and expectation around it. The realities of the electoral politics has since tempered it. However, while making its debut in the 27 February Assembly polls by fielding just one candidate, the RPP still hopes to make a mark with its campaign against corruption, injustice and “misgovernance” in the state.
The 48-year-old RPP president, Joel Naga, who is contesting from the Tseminyu constituency, is one of the two prominent anti-corruption activists in the Nagaland fray this time, with Kahuto Chishi — the Gaon Bura of Hevishe village — being the other one. The convener of a forum called Concerned People of Nagaland, Kahuto, who writes regularly for the local newspapers, is contesting as an Independent candidate from the Dimapur-III seat. Sukrita Baruah writes...
?? Naga political problem : As yet another election comes by, Nagaland is still waiting for a final resolution of the Naga political problem. A ‘framework agreement’ signed between the Union Government and the NSCN (I-M), the largest Naga rebel group, in 2015, remains mired in mystery regarding the details.
?? Eastern Nagaland : The question of the “development deficit” in the six Eastern Nagaland districts took centre stage ahead of this election with the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) calling a poll boycott seeking a separate state for these areas.
?? Armed Forces Special Powers Act : Nagaland has been living under the AFSPA, giving powers to the security forces to act in an area without fear of pecuniary punishment, since 1958. Demands for its repeal grew more heated and louder after six miners were killed and two injured in December 2021 when the Army’s 21 Special Para Force opened fire on them, mistaking them for insurgents of the banned NSCN (Khaplan-Yung Aung) group.
?? Unemployment and youth issues : A fallout of decades of insurgency, conflict and political instability in the state is widespread unemployment, especially among educated young people. The question of the future of the Naga youth is a sensitive issue and was acknowledged by all parties in the fray.
?? Status of parties Despite the fact that there are 13 parties and several Independents contesting this time, the beleaguered condition of any potential challenger to the BJP-NDPP alliance is apparent, to voters as well. With no other party even able to field more than 23 candidates this time around, the alliance formed ahead of the last election and considered fledgling has now pushed all competitors to a corner. Sukrita Baruah writes...
?? The “outsider” : In Meghalaya, the fear of the “outsider”, often used to denote people from Bangladesh, is an enduring political issue. This time, while the passing of the CAA by the Narendra Modi government at the Centre made the issue even more prominent, what added fuel to the fire was the rise in the state of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), often described as a “Bengali party” or a party of “outsiders”.
?? Coal mining : In 2014, the National Green Tribunal banned all coal mining in the state, calling it illegal. Since then, it has become a highly contentious matter in Meghalaya, with the absence of economic opportunities making royalty on coal a major source of revenue.
?? Border dispute with Assam : The death of six state residents in firing by the Assam Police last year has led to fresh resurgence of the age-old border dispute with Assam. The incident came just months after the Meghalaya government had signed what it described as a “historic” pact with Assam to solve part of the border crisis.
?? Inner Line Permit (ILP) : The implementation of the ILP, which would make it mandatory to acquire a permit so as to travel to certain restricted areas, is an old demand in Meghalaya. But, it has got a renewed push since the CAA was passed in 2019.
?? Corruption : The Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government, including the NPP and BJP, battled several allegations of corruption in the past five years. In the elections, it remained an issue for the Opposition parties. The promise to rid Meghalaya of corruption and work for its development dominated rallies and manifestos. Tora Agarwala writes...
The BJP’s Meghalaya unit vice-president, Bernard N Marak, works out of a modest single-window room in the party’s office in Tura in the Garo Hills. But he has kept his sights trained on an ambitious target in the February 27 state Assembly polls — taking on Chief Minister and National People’s Party (NPP) president Conrad Sangma in South Tura, his home turf, as the saffron party’s candidate.
One of the most keenly-watched, high-voltage battles in this election is taking place in the South Tura constituency, the CM’s family bastion, which has emerged as the epicentre of a long-brewing rivalry between former allies — the NPP and BJP.
For the militant-turned-politician, Marak, the stakes are even higher than that. For it has also become a personal battle to “redeem” his “honour” after being jailed last year for allegedly running a brothel in his farm house on the outskirts of Tura town. He is now out on bail. Tora Agarwala writes....
On a recent February morning, it was business as usual in Shillong’s Punjabi Lane — pedestrians made their way past the many roadside vendors, women chatted in small groups, and young boys wolfed down ghugni (chickpeas). All of this was, however, done under the not-so-watchful eyes of a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) battalion stationed at the entrance to the lane.
For Jovanjeet Singh, 24, the presence of the men in uniform is a constant reminder of a violent week from five years ago. “Five years have gone by, but the area remains cordoned off… Even taxis are not allowed to ply here,” he said. Tora Agarwala writes...
One person was been killed and 13 others were injured as a bus carrying polling and security personnel fell from the hill into the jungle in the Wokha district on Sunday afternoon, the Nagaland Police said.
The driver of the bus has been killed, according to the police. The injured include personnel of the Jharkhand armed police and Nagaland Armed police. (PTI)
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday urged the people of Meghalaya and Nagaland to give change a chance as polling in the two northeast states was underway.
"People of Meghalaya and Nagaland are looking towards progressive, welfare-oriented governments," Kharge said in a tweet.
"Welcome our first time voters to participate in this democratic process for a better future. Urge our sisters and brothers of Meghalaya and Nagaland to give change a chance," he said.
After a particularly challenging five years, it is an important election for Meghalaya Chief Minister and National People’s Party (NPP) supremo Conrad K Sangma as the state heads to polls on February 27. At his residence in Tura in the state’s Garo Hills, Sangma talks to The Indian Express about his party’s performance in the last five years, the challenge the Trinamool Congress (TMC) poses, and the frosty relationship with the BJP, which was part of the NPP-led alliance but is contesting the polls on its own.
Excerpts:
The Opposition, as well as even allies, have hit out at the NPP for the last five years …
In a democracy, everybody has their voice. But it is the voice of the majority that counts. Critics have the right to say what they are saying. But they are not the voice of the majority. We don’t claim to have resolved everything but there is a sense of satisfaction in our minds and even the public’s minds. Meghalaya was one of the worst performing states in the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana when we took over. Today, in a matter of five years , we are one of the best-performing states.
In the last 15 years, about 700 km of roads were made, while in the last five years we made 2,000 km of roads. Fifty per cent of our children were not immunised, but in three to four years we are in the second … third … rank. If that is anti-incumbency, I don’t know what is the definition of anti-incumbency. Read the full interview here...
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday urged voters in Meghalaya and Nagaland to cast their votes in record numbers.
"Urging the people of Meghalaya and Nagaland, particularly the young and first time voters, to vote in record numbers today," he tweeted.
Neiphiu Rio is the axis around which Nagaland politics has revolved for the last 20 years. The current Chief Minister of Nagaland, he is also the chief ministerial face of the NDPP-BJP alliance for the 2023 Assembly polls, to be held on February 27.
After a political career spanning more than four decades, 72-year-old Rio is eyeing his fifth term as chief minister. He has won every state election he has contested in from his constituency of Northern Angami-II since 1989, first as a Congress leader, then as an NPF (Naga People’s Front) leader and now as an NDPP (Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party) leader. He was elected to the Lok Sabha from the NPF in 2014, leading to a break in his unbroken chief ministership of the state since 2003. Sukrita Baruah writes...
AS NAGALAND votes on Monday, the ruling coalition of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and BJP is the only pre-poll alliance in the race, and looks in a much stronger position than other parties in the fray.
Contesting in a 40:20 ratio as in 2018, with the NDPP fighting 40 seats, both parties repeatedly emphasised the strength of their partnership. BJP leaders who flew in from outside the state also vouched for NDPP candidates in different constituencies.
North East Democratic Alliance convenor and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was seen campaigning for Hekani Jakhalu in Dimapur-III, Salhoutuonuo Kruse in Western Angami, and Vikheho Swu in Pughoboto. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in his first visit to Eastern Nagaland, addressed a public meeting alongside NDPP leader and CM Neiphiu Rio in Mon, jointly campaigning for the alliance’s nine candidates in the district. Of those, three are from the BJP and six from the NDPP. Sukrita Baruah writes...
? BJP and NDPP are contesting the elections on a 20:40 seat-sharing arrangement
? Naga People's Front (NPF) and Congress are contesting in 22 and 23 seats respectively.
? Only four out of 183 candidates in the fray this time are women. Since its establishment, Nagaland has seen 14 Assembly elections -- but never a woman MLA.
? There are a total of 13,17,632 voters, out of which 6,61,489 are male electors, and 6,56,143 are female
? BJP has already opened up its account in Nagaland ahead of the polls as the party candidate Kazheto Kinimi won from the Akuluto seat uncontested after the Congress candidate withdrew his candidature.
Asenlo Khing, 32, has been appearing for the Nagaland Public Service Commission examinations for the last ten years. Despite making it to the interview stage multiple times, he has not been able to get what thousands of young educated Nagas constantly jostle for: a government job.
After getting a junior research fellowship through the University Grants Commission(UGC)-NET, Khing recently decided to do a Political Science Ph.D at the Nagaland University in Kohima. It could help him with “teaching in some private colleges”.
However, his “primary motive” for pursuing the degree is different. He is fast approaching the upper age limit for eligibility for government jobs in the state – 35 – but having a Ph.D will yield a relaxation of the limit by five years and allow him to continue attempting for a government job till he is 40. Sukrita Baruah writes...
The voting for the Meghalaya Assembly elections began amid tight security on Monday. Facts at a glance:
? Of the 60 Assembly constituencies in Meghalaya, 36 constituencies fall in Khasi, Jaintia Hills region while 24 are in Garo Hills region.
? In Meghalaya, the woman voters are in higher numbers than their male counterparts.
? There are about 81,000 first-time voters in the state.
? Of the total 3,419 polling stations, 120 are all women-managed polling stations, 60 are model polling stations and another 60 are PWD polling stations.
? The Election Commission has deployed 119 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in Meghalaya.
? Polling for the Sohiong Assembly constituency was postponed following the demise of the state's former Home Minister and United Democratic Party (UDP) candidate from the seat - HDR Lyngdoh.
? Election officials made their way to the polling booths across Meghalaya, trekking steep mountainous paths, crossing muddy rivers and walking for hours, as the northeastern state gears up for the assembly polls on Monday. Over 19,000 polling officials have been deployed at 3,419 booths set up for the elections to the 59 assembly seats.
? The polling teams had to trek steep mountain paths, cross muddy rivers while travelling through difficult terrains -- in some areas through ropeways, to reach their destinations, Kharkongor said.
? A team headed to Nongriat polling station of Shella assembly constituency in East Khasi Hills district trekked 6,000 steps to reach its destination located near the scenic root bridge, meanwhile, election officials had to row a boat to reach the Amlarem constituency's Kamsing polling station, which has only 35 voters. Some teams used the traditional Khasi basket 'khoh' to carry the EVMs and other items. (PTI)