The possibility of another hung assembly in Meghalaya looms large with no single party apparently looking capable of winning a majority of seats and no prepoll alliances so far. It is a matter of conjecture whether there will be a fractured verdict paving the way for another coalition or a decisive mandate will emerge ushering in major qualitative changes in the new ruling dispensation.
The article notes that the north-eastern states have taken many initiatives to implement and localise the Sustainable Development Goals. But achieving the targets require a multipronged approach, concerted and coordinated efforts, and focus on sectors where the region has inherent advantages. Unfortunately, the pandemic has cast some doubts on the feasibility of achieving the goals as per the original timelines.
Despite a ban on rat-hole mining in Meghalaya from 2014, the profitability of the industry has meant that no real efforts are being made to implement the ban effectively.
What pushed the National People’s Party to align with the Bharatiya Janata Party that has won only two assembly seats, is the ailment that afflicts all the governments of the small states of the North East. These special category states survive on central grants for as much as 90% of their requirement and are expected to raise the remaining 10%. They, therefore, need a friendly government at the centre.
In the months leading up to the February 2018 Meghalaya state legislative elections, the Mukul Sangma-led Congress government has been plagued by a mass exodus of its legislators to the National People’s Party and Bharatiya Janata Party. This article chronicles these defections and conflicts within the party, and the political advantage they afford the BJP in its push for a Congress-mukt Meghalaya.
The beginnings of electoral politics in the 1970s in Meghalaya saw a clear demarcation between national parties and regional ones. However, the assertion of ethnic identities and the rise of an educated elite among the Khasis, Jaintias and Garos saw regional loyalties give way to still narrower tribal divisions. The split in votes that has ensued has inadvertently aided national parties.
Though the apex court's ban on timber felling was welcomed by conservationists, its ecological and social impact is only now coming to light. To alleviate many of its unforeseen consequences, it is imperative for several measures to be implemented in tandem - a comprehensive forest survey, involvement of the local community and a much-needed simplification of the legal process.
For some years past, independence day, August 15, has been observed in the north-east under tight security; it was no different this year. Despite this however, the little known Khasi Students Union (KSU) succeeded in bringing civic life to a halt in many districts of Meghalaya from the beginning of August.
