Shillong: For ruling Congress , the fight for Meghalaya is a fight for power as well as against a possible political oblivion in the northeast. Of the seven states in the region, Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh are under BJP rule, and Nagaland has a government formed together by Naga People’s Front and BJP.In the past, these provinces were known as Congress’s bastions. In Tripura, Congress has lost its status of a major opposition to BJP, which is giving a tough fight to the ruling Left Front. Mizoram, which is under Congress rule, will go to the polls later this year.At the moment, Congress in Meghalaya faces a series of problems, including defections and the anti-incumbency factor. Complicating things further, National People’s Party (NPP), founded by the late PA Sangma, and BJP have emerged as major challengers to the Grand Old Party. Here, NPP and BJP are fighting separately though they are the ruling partners in Manipur.In power for the past eight years, which itself is an aberration in politically volatile Meghalaya, firebrand Congress chief minister Mukul Sangma feels his party is on track for revival. Unfazed by BJP’s takeover of four northeastern states, the 53-year-old leader says, “We will have more than two states (Meghalaya and Mizoram) in the years to come. We are placed well in Meghalaya and will make it past 30 seats.” The state assembly has altogether 60 seats.Long before the coming election, NPP had inflicted a shocking defeat on Mukul when his MLA wife, Dikkanchi D Shira, lost to PA Sangma’s son, Conrad, in 2016 Tura Lok Sabha bypoll.Putting tremendous pressure on Mukul and his party, BJP has lately intensified its activities in the state where Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a well-attended mass gathering named ‘Rally for Change’ in December. Considering the local sentiments, the saffron party has, to a large extent, diluted what is elsewhere known as ‘Hindutva agenda’. It has steered clear of controversial issues such as beef consumption. To keep non-tribal voters in good humour, it has more or less sidelined the issue of illegal migration.In stark contrast, Mukul’s journey this time has been bumpy right from the beginning. Weeks before the election process started, eight Congress legislators crossed over to other paties — five to NPP and one each to BJP and People’s Democratic Front. Another sitting Congress legislator decided to fight the election as an Independent.“It’s true that we have had a few setbacks and problems. But the recent changes in leadership in Delhi (Rahul Gandhi’s elevation as president) and Meghalaya have energized the party here,” explains state Congress working president Vincent Pala, who is also an MP.It was in 1976 that Congress first got a toehold in Meghalaya when All Party Hill Leaders Conference, which had spearheaded the movement for the formation of Meghalaya, merged with it. Since then, Congress has been at the helm for many terms with the help of regional parties and Independents.In 2013, United Democratic Party won eight seats, Hill State People’s Democratic Party won four, NPP won two, and Garo National Council and North East Social Democratic Party one seat each. On the other hand, Congress won 29 seats, two short of the magic figure, and managed to form a government with the help of 10 MLAs, mostly Independents.This time, too, Independents and regional parties may have a say in choosing who is going to take charge of the state. Going by the way BJP managed to capture Arunachal and Manipur with the help of smaller parties, Congress may find it difficult to form government in case it falls short of majority. Aware of this, Mukul says, “When you know the opposition is working overtime to dethrone you, it insulates you from complacency.”In its fight to retain its hold on Meghalaya, Congress showcases its achievements ranging from universal health insurance scheme, control of militancy in the Garo Hills to tourism and infrastructure development. Aware of the religious and ethnic composition of the electorate, it harps on its policy of inclusiveness.Like in Manipur, BJP has been soliciting support by saying that Meghalaya will gain if it votes for the party which is in power at the Centre. Its campaign has been strident focusing on the anti-incumbency factor. Top leaders such as Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Himanta Biswa Sarma, who heads North East Democratic Alliance (the regional version of NDA), and KJ Alphons, its Christian face, have held a series of rallies. “Our morale is very high because of years of Congress rule. People of Meghalaya are aware of PM Modi’s achievements,” remarks state BJP president Shibun Lyngdoh.NPP looks comfortably placed, with the regional grassroots connect and the links with the government at the Centre both working to its advantage. It harps on Congress’s alleged failures in the state and the legacy of PA Sangma, its founder. Projecting itself as Congress’s main challenger, it’s trying hard to win over the new generation voters. It expects to gain from the fact that it has not eneterd into a pre-poll alliance with BJP, which is seen as a votary of Hindutva philosophy. “Under Congress rule, Meghalaya saw only neglect and apathy. We want change,” says Conrad, whose party may become BJP’s senior partner in case of a hung assembly.

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