With the defection of 12 Congress MLAs to TMC, the latter party has become the main opposition in Meghalaya.
Meghalaya produced several seasoned leaders. They always served the state and their respective parties with utmost sincerity and diligence. Among them is the Indian National Congress, which is much preferred over others. Its leaders in Meghalaya won the trust of most of the electorates. But of late, we hear the murmurs of discontent among the leaders of this national party. The recent defection of 12 Congress MLAs to TMC has sent a fearful tremor across the country in one go in the state. It is not difficult to notice why so many leaders are unhappy with one of the oldest parties.
As claimed by many, this party firmly believes more in the family than democratic principles, which had irked even our very veteran leader and former Lok Sabha Speaker – late PA Sangma, leading to the formation of NCP. TMC is another offshoot of the same Congress, which is now emerging as a more potent force. Going by various comments on social media, it is to conclude that the "family interest" always reigns supreme in INC. Sycophancy is the hallmark of this party. This party has never found a suitable leader to hold the party presidentship in over a decade, except for the Gandhi family. Its humble leaders are so much "loyal to the family" that they forget their individuality.
The most astonishing part is that the dutiful party leaders continue to admire Rahul Gandhi, though he lacks even the basic understanding of a diplomatic leader. His morning speech clashes with that of the evening. Nothing could be more amazing than when people continue to applaud him, and he gets more charged up! He often utters impractical promises. A joke is still going round about his vehement claim of introducing a machine that would turn potatoes into gold.
Yes, there are countless instances when its party members were publicly humiliated. Former President of India, late Pranab Mukherjee, expressed his displeasure against the Gandhi family many times. Himanta Biswa Sarma defected from the party and joined BJP when his self-esteem got hurt, which has cost the party dearly in Assam. Please find out who is to blame? Former Punjab Chief Minister–Amarinder Singh retorted with his "shikhis bluntness" against the party when it showed him the door. Were there any solid reasons to sideline the popular and astute Punjab Chief Minister? Has it not consequently damaged party image in the eyes of the public? A senior journalist Patricia Mukhim points out–"The infamous moniker 'grand old party' seems hellbent on committing political suicide from Punjab to Meghalaya."
With so many successive election defeats and failures in the past several years, the party should have sat for the deep soul-searching. But, unfortunately, this has never happened. Sonia still wears the queen's crown with pride while Rahul Gandhi roars with immaturity. One wonders when the non-Gandhi leaders will get it. Were Lyngdoh, Sangma, Gogoi, Tharoor, Scindia, Chidambaram not more efficient and eligible for the party high command post? One activist remark–"Ampareen Lyngdoh or Gaurav Gogoi is diplomatically more prudent than Rahul Gandhi." Of course, the true spirit of democracy in the party always attracts more leaders.
No doubt we badly need a good opposition party, not the violent, for a healthy political ecosystem. The political party should inspire and not "incite" our youth to the act of cruelty as witnessed post-election in West Bengal. All should agree that the buzzword 'KHELA HOBE' should not "impinge" upon communal harmony and the sovereignty of the country—many are very apprehensive. All leaders should stand together to "safeguard the integrity" of the nation. 'Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas' of PM Narendra Modi can certainly uphold the constitutional doctrines of the country.
The writer is a Shillong-based writer and researcher, best known for the research-based work entitled 'Great Minds on India' that has earned worldwide appreciation, translated into twelve languages, and edited by a former NASA scientist–Dr AV Murali of Houston, USA.
