Meghalaya: Political history
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Political leaders
Musical performances
HIGHLIGHTS
Meghalaya CM Mukul Sangma performed to The Beatles' song 'All My Loving'
Leader of the opposition Donkupar Roy, (UDP) president Paul Lyngdoh, and Parliamentary Affairs minister Prestone Tynsong accompanied him during the performance.
CM Mukul Sangma and Leader of the Opposition Dr Donkupar Roy perform to 'All My Loving' (Image taken from video)CM Mukul Sangma and Leader of the Opposition Dr
Call it the power of music or the power of The Beatles. Whatever it was, it recently brought Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma and his political opponents together on stage quite harmoniously, as they belted out The Beatles' classic track 'All My Loving'. During Sangma's daughter's wedding celebrations, the proud father took to the stage and began crooning The Beatles' love anthem. Soon, he was joined on stage by leader of the opposition Donkupar Roy, the United Democratic Party (UDP) president Paul Lyngdoh, and Parliamentary Affairs minister Prestone Tynsong.
The quartet enthralled the audience with their performance, with minister Tynsong's lively moves deserving a special mention.
This isn't the first time Sangma has performed in public. Part of a rock band in his college days, the chief minister thrilled people with his rendition of Queen's 'I Want to Break Free' at a NICT-Meghabytes event back in 2012. He again displayed his musical skills during the inauguration of Meghalaya House in Kolkata in 2015.
UDP leader Lyngdoh also doubles as a recording artist, with several hit songs under his belt. With Shillong being the rock capital of India, it's small wonder that its leaders know how to get their people to groove.
Garo issues
Militancy ends in 2018
Manosh Das, March 12, 2018: The Times of India
The last remaining members of the Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA), the militant outfit suspected to be behind the killing of NCP candidate Jonathone Sangma last month, will surrender before police on Monday. The outfit’s chief, Sohan D Shira, was killed in a police operation last month.
The cadres gave themselves up to police at Akelgre village, 8 km from Williamnagar in East Garo Hills, on Sunday. The group had two AK-56 rifles, an INSAS rifle, SMG, .22 air rifle and .22 pistol among a huge cache of arms and ammunition, police said.
“They got in touch. The official surrender will be held at the police headquarters in the state capital on Monday,” Ringrang Momin, SP of East Garo Hills, said. The surrender will take place in the presence of home minister James Sangma.
The rebel group operated in three districts of the Garo Hills. It was declared a terror outfit by the home ministry in 2012.
Winter capital in Tura; job reservations\ 2023
Manosh Das & Prabin Kalita, TNN, July 25, 2023: The Times of India
Shillong/Guwahati: A crowd of protesters threw stones in an unexpected attack on the Meghalaya minisecretariat in Shillong around 6pm Monday when CM Conrad Sangma, along with his cabinet colleague Marcusie Marak, and senior government officials were in the midst of talks with members of a Garo group to address a demand for the declaration of Tura as the state’s winter capital. At least seven policemen were injured during the confrontation.
The Achik Conscious Holistically Integrated Krima (ACHIK) has sought Tura, the headquarters of West Garo Hills district, as the winter capital, but the demand has faced challenges from various other groups who want Shillong to be only capital as it is now. Additionally, ACHIK sought a comprehensive review of the state’s job reservation policy.
ACHIK denied any involvement in the attack on the chief minister's office. The group has been actively protesting for the past 13 days, with their demands focused on seeking a more inclusive and transparent negotiation process for their grievances.
In response to the escalating situation, a large contingent of policemen and CRPF personnel was swiftly dispatched to the site to contain the violence. In an effort to disperse the 1,000-strong crowd, police had to fire tear-gas shells, causing further unrest and tension in the area. The specific rea- sons behind the sudden outburst of violence are yet to be fully ascertained, as investigations into the attack are still underway.
CM Sangma later expressed deep regret over the unfortunate turn of events. He assured that the necessary legal actions would be taken in response to the violent act. Furthermore, in a gesture of concern and empathy towards the injured police personnel, he announced that a medical allowance of Rs 50,000 would be provided to them.
ACHIK’s primary demands centre around the establishment of a “fair and just winter capital policy” that would ensure equitable resource distribution in the state. The situation in Tura remains tense, with authorities closely monitoring the developments.
Governors
Address in Hindi\ 2023
March 21, 2023: The Times of India
Meghalaya guv addresses House in Hindi, MLAs protest
Shillong:Four newly elected MLAs of Voice of People’s Party (VPP) staged a walkout on Monday, the first day of Meghalaya assembly’s session, protesting against governor Phagu Chauhan addressing the House in Hindi, reports Manosh Das. Before the walkout, Speaker Thomas A Sangma had given his ruling allowing the governor to deliver his address in Hindi. However, VPP chief Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit objected as soon as the governor started his address should be conducted in English, as per rules.
State anthem
2024 Jan: the Jaintias and Pnars are not happy
Sukrita Baruah, Jan 31, 2024: The Indian Express
The anthem included sections in three languages – English, Garo and Khasi. Why has the absence of Jaintia or Pnar language led to a row? How has the government responded?
Marking Meghalaya’s 52nd statehood day on January 21 this year, the state government ceremoniously released an official state anthem. This was heralded as a historic moment in the state’s journey, but five days later on Republic Day, the anthem was not performed or played anywhere in the state.
What is the controversy about?
The two-minute-long anthem features segments in three languages – Khasi, Garo and English. Soon after it was launched, the rumblings of discontent began over the Jaintia or Pnar language not being represented in it.
On the inclusion of English, the Jaintia Students’ Union accused the state government of “promoting a foreign language”, and said it should instead “include dialects of all three tribes – Khasi, Jaintia and Garo.”
Meghalaya is understood to have three major matrilineal communities – Khasis, Garos and Jaintias. But the Jaintias are clubbed along with the Khasis in the state’s Scheduled Tribes (ST) list, along with tribes such as War, Bhoi and Lyngngam. Together, they make up 14.1 lakh of the state’s population (based on 2011 Census data). The Garos number around 8.21 lakh, with the state’s total population being 29.7 lakh.
What are the concerns over Jaintia or Pnar?
Jaintia pressure groups have emphasised their community’s unique history and identity to demand the inclusion of Pnar in the anthem. Stressing this, Samborni Lyngdoh, the President of the Jaintia National Council, pointed to the existing administrative divisions in the state.
There are three Autonomous District Councils in Meghalaya, under the provisions of the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, for the administration of tribal areas in certain states.
These are the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council, the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council and the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council. Lyngdoh also points to administrative divisions that were in place before Meghalaya got its statehood in 1972.
He said, “We have our own culture and mother tongue. After the British gave us independence, we came under the Assam state. When we look back at 1951-1953, when the state of Assam gave us a District Council, they gave us a United Khasi and Jaintia Autonomous District Council. This meant that there was Khasi and then there was Jaintia.”
“When we got the state also, there has been a distinction between the Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills and Garo Hills. Our stand is very clear: when the foundation of the state is through Khasi, Jaintia and Garo, if we have an anthem, it should reflect that… We want the state government to recognise our history and not just neglect us in the Meghalaya state anthem,” he added.
Focus on distinctiveness
Lyngdoh also spoke of a unique history by emphasising personalities such as Jaintia freedom fighter U Kiang Nangbah. He led an uprising against the British in the Jaintia Hills in the 19th century after the annexation of the Jaintia Kingdom. “We the Jaintias have our own freedom fighters, we stand on a unique history and we don’t want the government to neglect us and render us a lost tribe.”
Congress MP Vincent Pala, who represents Shillng and hails from the Jaintia Hills, pointed to the structuring of positions of power at the state’s highest level. While Chief Minister Conrad Sangma is from the Garo Hills, the state has two Deputy Chief Ministers: Prestone Tynsong is from the Khasi Hills and Sniawbhalang Dhar is from the Jaintia Hills.
“When it comes to the Deputy Chief Minister position they can justify this, but they don’t want to do this in the state anthem. I suggest that the government rectify it, otherwise, the gap will grow wider and wider between the communities… You cannot deprive people just because of official languages… It is not a language, it is a representation of a tribe,” he said.
How has the government responded?
Representatives of the National People’s Party-led Meghalaya Development Alliance government said that the anthem’s languages were selected based on the Meghalaya State Language Act of 2005.
The Act designated English as the state’s official language and also designated Khasi as the ‘Associate Official Language’ for all purposes in the District, Sub-Divisions and Block level offices of the state government in the districts of East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, South West Khasi Hills, East Jaintia Hills, West Jaintia Hills and Ri Bhoi.
Garo language was given the same status in the districts of East Garo Hills, West Garo Hills, South Garo Hills, North Garo Hills and South West Garo Hills.
“Our basic point is that there is a notification and a provision for English as the official language of the state and of two associate official languages. These two languages have been taken. We have to base any decision that we make as a government on acts and rules. Hence, for us to be able to do that [add the Jaintia language to the anthem] there has to be necessary changes in the relevant act or rules itself,” CM Sangma told reporters.
He also argued that acceding to the demand would lead to a slippery slope: “If we are deviating from that, we don’t have any reason to give for others who may demand tomorrow, such as Bhoi or other tribes. So, we can’t justify it because they can say that ‘you have given to this language, that language’. The government cannot arbitrarily do this.”
The other view, on commonalities
While Jaintia pressure groups emphasise a culture, history and language that is distinct from that of the Khasis, several commentators have emphasised their commonalities. Meghalaya Arts and Culture Minister Paul Lyngdoh said, “We have always believed the Khasi-Jaintia to a single cohesive community.”
Sociologist Tiplut Nongbri, in her paper Culture and Biodiversity: Myths, Legends and the Conversation of Nature in the Hills of North-East India, wrote on the common origin myth of groups such as the Khynriam, Jaintia, War, Bhoi and Lyngnam as a unifying factor.
The myth of Ki Hynniew Trep says that seven families lived in heaven and would come down to Earth to cultivate their crops. One day, they found themselves unable to return because the great tree which connected their homes to Earth was cut off. They set up homes on Earth in seven different huts, and these were the ancestors of the different groups.
“In an apparent identification with their local environment the Khasi are internally differentiated into five distinct groups namely Khynriam, Pnar/Jaintia, Bhoi, War and Lyngngam. However, in recognition of their common ancestry and oneness as a people, they collectively define themselves as the children of U Hynniew Trep [Hynniew Trep means seven huts]. In the contemporary era where identity crisis centering on ethnicity is a universal phenomenon, shared origin provides the people with a common rallying point,” she wrote.
Alluding to this belief, Lyngdoh said, “Historically, we always believed in the unity of Khasi and Jaintia as one tribe… Also, you have to bear in mind, that we are also linked by blood, the clans. History and traditions and our creation myths are all the same. There is hardly any difference in the language used. All these things have to be kept in mind if anything has to be thought of afresh,” he said.
2018
1/3 of MLAs switch sides
From: Chandrima Banerjee, Cong seeks silver lining, BJP pledges a good reign, February 21, 2018: The Times of India
For the Congress, the fight for Meghalaya is as much a fight to stave off political oblivion in the northeast as it is to retain power. BJP is at the helm in three of the region’s seven states: Assam, Manipur and Arunachal while Nagaland’s government is run by Naga People’s Front alongwith BJP. In Tripura, Congress has long lost its status as main opposition and Mizoram, held by the Congress, heads to the hustings later this year.
In Meghalaya, Congress is battling anti-incumbency and big-ticket defections and is up against a strong challenge from National People’s Party (NPP), founded by the late PA Sangma, and BJP. NPP, and other regional parties are part of the NDA at the Centre, as well as the BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance but are contesting separately.
In power the past eight years, in itself an aberration in politically volatile Meghalaya, firebrand Congress CM Mukul Sangma feels his party is on track to retain power. The 53-year-old says, “We’ll have more than two (Meghalaya and Mizoram) in years to come. Here, we’ll make it past 30 seats.” The Meghalaya assembly has 60 seats.
But confidence apart, NPP inflicted a shock defeat on Mukul when his MLA wife, Dikkanchi D Shira, lost to PA Sangma’s son, Conrad, in 2016’s Tura Lok Sabha bypoll. Also, BJP intensified its activities in the state, and diluted its ‘Hindutva agenda’ to a large extent to suit local sentiment. PM Modi’s ‘Rally for Change’ in December was well-attended. The saffron party has steered clear of cultural collisions such as beef in local diet — BJP neta Bernard Marak quit the party last June protesting party seniors’ opposition to a beef-bitchi (local brew) party he wanted to host to celebrate three years of the Modi government.
To humour non-tribal voters, BJP has also side-stepped the issue of illegal migration.
In contrast, Mukul’s journey this time has been bumpy from the start. Weeks before the poll process started, eight Congress legislators jumped ship — five to NPP, one each to BJP and People’s Democratic Front while another MLA opted to fight as an Independent.
“We’ve had setbacks but changes in the leadership in Delhi (Rahul Gandhi’s elevation as president) and Meghalaya have energised the party here,” state Congress working president and MP Vincent Pala says.
Congress got a toehold in Meghalaya in 1976 when All Party Hill Leaders’ Conference, which spearheaded the movement for Meghalaya’s formation, merged with it. The party has had six CMs in the state, forming governments with the help of regional parties and Independents. In 2013, Congress came closest to majority, bagging 29 seats, two short of the winning number. It formed government with the help of 10 MLAs, mostly Independents. The regional parties together won 16 seats, and are all NDA allies.
This time, too, Independents and regional parties are gearing up to have a say in who takes charge of the state. Given how BJP managed to capture Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur, Congress may find it difficult to form government if it falls short of majority. Keenly aware of this, Mukul says, “When you know the opposition’s working overtime to dethrone you, it insulates you from complacency.”
His party showcases their achievements—universal health insurance, success against militancy, tourism and development and stresses on its policy of inclusiveness.
Like in Manipur, BJP has been soliciting support saying that Meghalaya will gain if it votes for the party that is in power at the Centre. Its campaign has been strident focusing on the anti-incumbency factor. PM Modi and Amit Shah and KJ Alphons, its Christian face, have held several rallies. “Our morale is high. People are aware of PM Modi’s achievements,”says state BJP president Shibun Lyngdoh; the party banking on the PM’s ‘vikas’ agenda.
NPP looks comfortably placed, with its grassroots connect and links with the Centre, both working to its advantage. It talks of its founder PA Sangma’s legacy. Projecting itself as Congress’s key challenger, it expects to gain from its decision to not have a pre-poll tie-up with BJP, seen as a Hindutva party.
Governor’s speech in Hindi sparks protest
Manosh Das, Meghalaya guv’s speech in Hindi sparks Cong protest, March 17, 2018: The Times of India
Meghalaya governor Ganga Prasad created an uproar in the state assembly when he addressed the first day of the budget session in Hindi, a first in the Christian-majority state.
While Congress legislator from East Shillong Ampareen Lyngdoh staged a walkout soon after the governor began his address, party MLA from Mawlai PT Sawkmie stood repeatedly to oppose the move, saying it had set a bad precedence. Earlier in the day, when Speaker Donkupar Roy said the governor would address the House, Sawkmie stood up and sought a clarification on whether Prasad would speak in Hindi and whether a translation would be provided.
Though a copy of the address in English was provided to members, they were still finding it difficult to understand what Prasad had said. “In 46 years of statehood, this is the first time the governor has addressed us in Hindi. It seems the big party is trying to impose its one nation, one culture and one language agenda. I am sure members can now speak in Khasi, Garo or Jaintia languages as per their wish as the governor has set a bad precedence,” said Sawkmie.
CM Conrad K Sangma said, “The governor was more comfortable speaking in Hindi, which is not a foreign language. I don’t see why that should be an issue when everything has been translated into English.”
NPP’s Conrad, backed by BJP, sworn in as CM
Manosh Das, NPP’s Conrad, backed by BJP, sworn in as Meghalaya CM, March 7, 2018: The Times of India
11 Cabinet Ministers Take Oath
National People’s Party (NPP) president Conrad Kongkal Sangma was sworn in as the chief minister of Meghalaya along with eleven other cabinet ministers of the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government. Governor Ganga Prasad administered the oath of office and secrecy to them at a grand swearing-in ceremony held at the forelawns of the Raj Bhawan here. The other constituents of the new government include BJP, United Democratic Party (UDP), Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) and People’s Democratic Front (PDF).
The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Union home minister Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, Manipur CM N Biren Singh, Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal, former Assam CM Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) leader Neiphiu Rio, BJP’s key strategist and Assam finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and former Mizoram CM Zoramthanga, among others. DD Lapang and Mukul Sangma, both former CMs of Congress, were also present.
Of the eleven ministers who took oath, four are from then Mukul Sangma-led Meghalaya United Alliance (MUA-II) government. They are Prestone Tynsong, Sniawbhalang Dhar, Comingone Ymbon (who left Congress and joined NPP) and Alexander L Hek. Like Ymbon, Hek, too, left Congress to join BJP before the assembly polls. Conrad’s elder brother James, who is a two-time legislator from Dadenggre, was also accommodated in the cabinet. Kyrmen Shylla (29), a firsttime elected member of UDP from Khliehriat constituency, made history by becoming the youngest minister of the state.
Speaking to journalists, Conrad said the priority of his government would be on good governance even as he assured to resolve the boundary dispute with Assam.
Rise of National People’s Party, Sangma siblings
Manosh Das, Sangma siblings hold key to Meghalaya throne, March 4, 2018: The Times of India
The credit for the rise of National People’s Party (NPP) from an insignificant contender winning just two seats in 2013 to a major challenger to ruling Congress, goes to Conrad Sangma. NPP, with 19 seats, emerged as the second-largest party this time, giving a tough fight to the ruling party, which got 21 seats.
Despite being the single largest party, political analysts say, Congress may not be able to form the government and may have to make way for an NPP-led government. Sangma is clear about the direction his party will take. “We are talking to like-minded people and I will not take names at this stage. Our newly-elected MLAs will have to sit down and deliberate,” he said. NPP has ruled out the possibility of a tie-up with Congress. Sangma told TOI, “Any alliance is highly unlikely...we fought against the Congress in this election.”
But he was ambiguous about BJP. The son of late Purno Agitok Sangma, who introduced the Manipur-based NPP in the electoral politics of Meghalaya, was not clear about his plans of aligning with the saffron party that had won only a couple of seats. “All options are open as of now,” he said.
Conrad along with his brother James, was first elected to the Meghalaya assembly on an NCP ticket in the 2008 state election. He later held several key portfolios in the state cabinet, including that of finance, power, tourism and IT, and presented his first annual budget for Meghalaya within 10 days of debuting as a minister.
Having been the leader of the opposition from 2009 to 2013, he is currently the MP from Tura—which he won in a by-election in 2016 after his father’s death. Speculations are rife about Conrad’s sister Agatha becoming the first woman chief minister of matrilineal Meghalaya, provided NPP is able to cobble up a coalition.
NPP—though an ally of the NDA at the Centre-—locked horns with BJP in many constituencies with Agatha winning the South Tura seat by defeating a saffron party candidate. Both Sangma siblings— Agatha and sitting legislator James—have emerged victorious, which many believe bear testimony to PA Sangma’s legacy.
Conrad is confident NPP will form the next government as people are tired of Congress rule and desperate for change. Congress has been in power in Meghalaya since 2003.
To counter governor, MLAs use Khasi in House
Manosh Das, To counter guv, MLAs use Khasi in House, March 20, 2018: The Times of India
Three days after Meghalaya governor Ganga Prasad kicked up a row by addressing the assembly in Hindi, opposition member Ampareen Lyngdoh spoke in Khasi while taking part in a debate inside the House on Monday — the first working day of the budget session.
Ampareen, an ex-minister in the last Congress regime, was allowed to speak in Khasi while taking part in the debate, which was on the governor’s address, after she provided English translations of her speech.
Speaker Donkupar Roy, who allowed Ampareen to speak in Khasi, told the House that facilities for simultaneous translation of the debate in languages other than English would be put in place by the next session. After Ampareen, the sole member from Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement, Edylbert Nongrum spoke in Khasi and called for amendments to the governor’s speech.
2019
All 24-hours-plus visitors must first register
Prabin Kalita, Nov 2, 2019: The Times of India
Meghalaya, the first state to oppose the Centre’s bid to amend the Citizenship Act to legalise immigrants “fleeing religious persecution”,brought an ordinance that makes registration on entry mandatory for visitors who intend to spend more than 24 hours in the state. Central and state government employees are exempt from the new entry rule.
The Meghalaya Democratic Alliance cabinet, of which BJP is a constituent, approved an amendment to the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act, 2016 to include this provision amid demands for an inner line permit (ILP) system to stop illegal immigration into the state. This act was previously applicable only to tenants.
The ILP, a document issued by the Centre to Indians visiting a protected area for a limited period, is currently in force in Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram.
Unlike ILP, Meghalaya’s new entry requirement will be implemented by the state government. “The amendment to the existing law in the form of an ordinance will come into force immediately. The ordinance will be regularised in the next session (of the assembly),” deputy CM Prestone Tynsong said.
Controversial governor sent on leave
After having courted several controversies for his tweets, the latest being in the backdrop of the anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act protests,
Meghalaya’s governor Tathagata Roy was sent on leave, with Nagaland governor R N Ravi scheduled to take additional charge of Meghalaya on Saturday.
A Rashtrapati Bhavan communiqué issued on Monday said Nagaland governor RN Ravi would discharge the functions of the governor of Meghalaya “in addition to his own duties, during the absence of leave” of Roy.
Roy is a former president of the West Bengal BJP unit. Nagaland governor Ravi is expected to take oath of office as the new governor. TNN
2022
All 5 Cong MLAs join BJP-backed govt
Manosh Das, February 9, 2022: 'The Times of India
Shillong: Known for its coalition politics, Meghalaya has come up with another power-sharing equation in which all Congress MLAs will be partners of BJP in the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government led by NPP.
There are no permanent friends or enemies in politics, CM Conrad K Sangma said on Tuesday. “We’re happy to welcome members of Congress Legislature Party who have pledged their support to the MDA government officially on Tuesday. We will work together under the banner of MDA to strengthen the government in the interest of the people,” he tweeted.
CLP’s Ampareen Lyngdoh, Kimfa Marbaniang, Mayralborn Syiem, PT Sawkmie and Mohendro Rapsang met CM Sangma and offered to join the government. They will, however, remain in Congress, said CLP leader Ampareen Lyngdoh said.
Meanwhile, BJP expressed its “disappointment” with Sangma for not consulting them before accepting the proposal. “The tiger and deer can’t drink water from the same river. So, BJP and Congress can’t work together,” state BJP chief Ernest Mawrie said.
“This initiative has come as a surprise to us as there were no discussions. We will hold discussions on it and apprise our central leadership. We’ll make a decision after that,” he said.
