GUWAHATI: The six-party ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) is at work to form a coalition government again but it is said to be rooting for a new face as the chief minister. 

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma heads the National People’s Party (NPP) and the MDA. The NPP is likely to emerge as the single largest party.

There are talks going around that while the MDA constituents do not mind coming together again to form a coalition government, they want a replacement for Sangma in the hot seat.

The NPP said on record recently that the elected MLAs would decide on the next CM.

NPP stalwart and Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong had said, “The party’s newly-elected MLAs will have to sit down, work out and ultimately, take a call on the issue of CM. We will have to respect whatever decision is made.”

Sangma has not said anything about the issue so far. He was not reachable for comment. He met his Assam counterpart and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma at a Guwahati hotel on Tuesday but what transpired there was in the realm of speculations. 

The Sangma government went to polls with baggage of corruption charges against it. Not just the smaller parties in the government, but even the BJP pilloried it over alleged graft. During campaigning, Union home minister Amit Shah had said “Meghalaya is the most corrupt state.”

The United Democratic Party, which is a part of the Sangma government, on Thursday said it is open to aligning with any party.

The counting of votes for the assembly elections in the Northeastern states of Nagaland, Tripura and Meghalaya are underway. The BJP and its allies continued to maintain early leads in Tripura and Nagaland, while the NPP holds an early lead in Meghalaya.

Exit polls predicted that the BJP is likely to continue its dominance in Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland. But exit polls have gone wrong in the past. So, the big question of whether BJP can further ‘Modi’fy Northeast will only be known today.

Two days ago, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is known to accurately predict the outcome of elections, said there would be a status quo in power in the three states. “You will find a similar arrangement everywhere. The NDA will comfortably form the government in all three states,” he told journalists.

SHILLONG: Polling began in 59 of 60 assembly constituencies in Meghalaya at 7 am on Monday as 21.6 lakh voters are eligible to seal the electoral fate of 369 candidates, with the ruling National People’s Party fighting to retain power and the BJP, Trinamool Congress and other regional parties vying to bring about a change in the government.

Meghalaya assembly polls:Over 12.06 pc voter turnout recorded till 9 am

“Polling percentage is 12.19 per cent till 9 am. Voting is peaceful as of now,” the Election Commission official said.

Voting is underway at 3,419 polling stations, of which 640 have been categorised as ‘vulnerable’ and 323 as ‘critical’, Chief Electoral Officer F R Kharkongor said.

Polling will continue till 4 pm.

Thirty-six of the 369 candidates are women, with the most significant number of 10 women candidates being put up by Congress.

Polling in the Sohiong assembly constituency has been adjourned due to the death of one of the candidates.

“Over 19,000 polling personnel and 119 companies of CAPFs have been deployed in polling stations. They have been backed by state policemen to maintain law and order,” the CEO said.

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma is contesting from the South Tura constituency where he will lock horns with militant-turned-politician Bernard Marak.

Leader of Opposition and TMC leader Mukul Sangma is contesting from two seats – Songsak and Tikrikilla. His wife D D Shira is also in the fray.

The Congress and the BJP are contesting 59 seats, while the NPP has put up nominees in 56 constituencies, the TMC in 57 and the UDP in 46.

NAGALAND: Voting begins for 60-member Assembly 

Nagaland assembly polls:Over 15.50 pc voter turnout recorded till 9 am

Meghalaya recorded a voter turnout of 10.55 per cent till 9 am on Monday, with the polling process being peaceful in the first two hours, Chief Electoral Officer FR Kharkongor said.

“We have noticed enthusiasm among voters in the Khasi Jaintia Hills region and voting is picking up slowly in the Garo Hills. Long queues of voters were seen in several polling stations,” Kharkongor told PTI.

He also said “no untoward incident” has been reported so far.

“Malfunctioning of EVMs were reported in a few polling booths but these were later fixed. Polling is being held in a free and fair manner,” the CEO said.

Voting for the Nagaland Assembly polls began at 7 am on Monday, with over 13 lakh electors set to decide the electoral fate of 183 candidates, officials said.

The nominees are contesting in 59 out of 60 seats, as the Akuluto seat in Zunheboto district was won uncontested by BJP nominee and sitting MLA Kazheto Kinimi.

Polling will continue till 4 pm, while counting of votes will be on March 2.

The ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and the BJP are contesting the polls on a 40:20 seat-sharing basis.

The Congress, which ruled the state till 2003 and has no member in the current House, has fielded 23 aspirants.

The NDPP-BJP combine is seeking a mandate for the second term, with Neiphiu Rio as the alliance’s chief ministerial candidate.

The NPF, which won 26 seats in the last assembly polls, has fielded candidates in 22 seats, but one of them withdrew, leaving 21 in the fray.

A total of 19 nominees will contest as Independents.

The electors include 6,47,523 male and 6,49,876 female voters, who are eligible to exercise their franchise in 2,291 polling stations.

GUWAHATI: The political situation in poll-bound Meghalaya is both interesting and confusing. The Bharatiya Janata Party’s top leaders are training their guns on their former coalition partner Conrad Sangma and his National People’s Party (NPP), with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma leading the attack.

Meghalaya has become the number one corrupt state in the country under NPP rule, according to Shah, despite that BJP has been a partner of the government led by the NPP for the last five years and still continuing in it.

The BJP leaders have said that they do not have any alliance with Conrad Sangma’s party, however, NPP is a part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The BJP state president, Ernest Mawrie an explainer of what has been cooking in the hill state.

There is a lot of confusion. Are the NPP and BJP allies?

 In Meghalaya, we have not forged any alliance with the NPP, and we have not done so in 2018. We are fighting on our own, and they are also fighting on their individual strengths. NPP has been involved in large-scale corruption for the last five years, and our party has taken a stand for zero tolerance against corruption.

But you were also part of the NPP-led government.

Yes, we have been in the MDA government. But the BJP had only two MLAs and a single minister, and we did not have any important portfolio in the ministry. The departments like power and others where most of the corruptions happened over the last five years were either with the NPP or their alliance partner, the UDP.

How could you know about the corruption?

Through a lot of RTI applications we filed in the last year or so, we have seen how rampant corruption was going on in Meghalaya under the current regime. We have all records.

Then why did not you leave the government and surprisingly you have a minister till today!

Look, BJP is a national party, and we cannot take the decision to leave or forge an alliance at the local level. We had informed the party hierarchy about what has been happening in Meghalaya and were waiting for them to take a call in this matter.

The NPP has been continuing to be a part of the NDA and the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) here. So, the NEDA chairman or the party leaders in Delhi must decide on this issue.

Have you discussed the corruption issue with NEDA chairman Himanta Biswa Sarma?

Yes, yes. Whenever the Assam Chief Minister met us in the last couple of years, we told him about the corruption. He advised us to wait for a decision.

Political analysts are saying that the BJP has been keeping a door open to be back in the government if NPP returns to power.

No, you should not look into it that way. This time, we have fielded candidates for all 60 seats in the state. We are expecting a good show, and after the poll result, we may look for parties whose hands are not immersed in corruption.

But, you have too few options to choose from. You cannot go with Congress or TMC.

It is impossible to go with these two parties. Right now, we are concentrating on winning as many seats as possible. We have a projection to win 34 out of the total 60 seats in the assembly.

Between Conrad Sangma and Mukul Sangma, who is the better Chief Minister?

I cannot draw a comparison between them. I have already talked about Conrad Sangma’s corruption. If Trinamool wins here, the state will witness large-scale Bangladeshi infiltration. We have been facing this issue for quite a long time, and we just cannot ‘invite’ more Bangladeshi people here.

But the BJP has brought the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

First, in the CAA, a timeline has been established after which no people from Bangladesh will be allowed to live here. Moreover, the Centre introduced CAA more than three years ago. Have you seen any Bangladeshi infiltration issues? The answer is no.

In a state like Meghalaya, where at least 90 per cent follow Christianity, do you believe that people are ready to accept the BJP’s hardliner stands on the beef ban, CAA, and other issues?

It has been nine years since the BJP came to power at the Centre, and we have not seen any Church under attack. There is no restriction being put on consuming beef too. I eat beef and I am in BJP, there is absolutely no problem with this. I am assuring you that the people of Meghalaya are with the BJP this time. You will see that on March 2.

Shillong : Meghalaya Chief Electoral Officer FR Kharkongor said a total of 379 candidates, including 37 women, have filed their nominations for the February 27 election to the 60-member assembly in the state.

Kharkongor had earlier said that 334 nominees have submitted papers in all.

Tuesday happened to be the last day for filing nomination papers.

All 60 sitting MLAs, including Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, Speaker Metbah Lyngdoh and Leader of the Opposition Mukul Sangma, have submitted their papers seeking re-election.

Conrad Sangma, who is the president of the National People’s Party, will once again contest the polls from South Tura constituency in West Garo Hills district.

Metbah, the United Democratic Party chief, is seeking re-election from Mairang constituency in Eastern West Khasi Hills district.

Former chief minister Mukul Sangma, who was elected as a Congress candidate in the 2018 election, is contesting as a Trinamool Congress nominee this time from two seats Songsak in East Garo Hills and Tikrikilla in West Garo Hills.

BJP MLAs Sanbor Shullai and AL Hek are seeking re-election from South Shillong and Pynthorumkhrah constituencies in the state capital here, Kharkongor said.

Congress MP Vincent H Pala, who is also the state party president, has filed his nomination papers from Sutnga-Saipung constituency in East Jaintia Hills district.

Regional party leaders — Banteidor Lyngdoh of the People’s Democratic Front (PDP), Ardent Basaiawmoit of the Voice of the People, Martle Mukhim of the Hills State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) have also submitted nomination papers, the CEO said.

All relevant documents will be scrutinised on Wednesday.

The last date for withdrawal of candidature is February 10. Votes will be counted on March 2.

AGARTALA:   The ruling BJP in Tripura has asked voters in the state to choose between peace and “red terror.” While addressing a rally, BJP chief JP Nadda sought to remind the people of the violent days when the Left parties ruled the state for 25 years on the trot from 1993.

“As we go to elections, two pictures appear before us. Five years ago, Tripura was known for violence, insurgency and unrest. The state was hit by red terror. There was CPM-sponsored torture. Today, we see a developed and peaceful Tripura,” Nadda said in a rally in the Amarpur constituency in Gomati district.

“Tripura’s fate and image have changed as (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi has continuously blessed the state,” Nadda said. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma too batted for peace. “For the first time in the state, an atmosphere of peace has prevailed in the past five years. It will be in Tripura’s interest if the BJP retains power. 

The double-engine train will run at 120 kmph. Where is a CPM government in the country? It ) does not have a locomotive at any place,” Sarma said at another rally in the Banamalipur constituency. “What will the MLAs of TIPRA Motha do? The party is not in power in Delhi and it won’t be able to form the government in Tripura. Therefore, voting in its favour will hold no meaning,” Sarma said.

In a statement, the Assam CM said the BJP would not allow the bifurcation of Tripura. We will not allow Tripura to become two states,” he said, adding, “We will work for the development of the tribals.” Nadda and Sarma highlighted the Centre’s development initiatives.

MUMBAI:  Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde dialled NCP chief Sharad Pawar and other Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders requesting not to field their candidates in the state bye-elections in Chinchwad and Kasba Peth.

The Chinchwad and Kasba Peth state assembly seats elections are necessitated after the deaths of BJP MLA Laxman Jagtap and Mukta Tilak respectively. BJP has announced its candidate for both the seats, Ashawini Jagtap, spouse of Laxman Jagtap will contest from Chinchwad while Hemant Rasane will contest from Kasba Peth.

Shinde said that it is the culture of Maharashtra, not to field the candidates if the seat and elections are necessitated after the demise of a sitting MLA.

“We always support the deceased family members to get elected. We expect the same in both constituencies. Therefore, I called NCP Chief Sharad Pawar and other Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders respecting the state culture and paving the way for BMC candidates,” Shinde said.

However, Sanjay Raut, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray) leader said that it is true the ruling party has requested for their support, but it has been decided in MVA meet to contest both the seats bye-elections. He said the ruling party should not teach them about morality.

“In Andheri East elections, how BJP and ruling party troubled deceased Shiv Sena MLA Ramesh Latke’s spouse Rutuja Latke from approving her resignation as clerk in BMC, knocking the court door. BJP tried to block her candidature by all means, but they failed. They did not field the candidate but they were forced to withdraw the candidate at the eleventh hour after forseeing a major defeat,” Raut said.

In the MVA meeting, it was decided that Kasba Peth seat will be contested by Congress while NCP will contest the Chinchwad seat. 

MUMBAI:  In a surprise result, the BJP has lost the MLC elections to the Congress party in its home turf Nagpur and other constituencies in Maharashtra. Out of total five teacher and graduate constituencies; BJP has won only one in Konkan region seat on Thursday. 

“This is a big victory for the Congress party for the first time in the last 56 years in Nagpur where RSS headquarter is located. Nagpur is the home town of union minister Nitin Gadkari, deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekar Bawankule. Therefore, this victory of Congress against BJP has a lot more meaning,” said Ashish Dua, Congress organizational general secretary.

Interestingly, Congress candidate Sudhakar Anabole won Nagpur teachers constituency by defeating BJP supported RSS affiliated teachers organization candidate Nago Ganar. The old pension scheme has played a major role in the defeat of the BJP. “The teachers and graduates have flatly rejected the BJP. We are confident that in upcoming elections also, Maha Vikas Aghdi will win the elections,” Ajit Pawar added.

Agartala: A total of 400 companies of central forces will be deployed in Tripura to ensure free and fair assembly elections later this month, a senior police officer on Wednesday.

Elections to the 60-member assembly will be held on February 16.

“Around 200 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) will be arriving here by first week of February for area domination, patrolling and flag march apart from counter insurgency operations,” Assistant Inspector General (Law & Order) Jyotishman Das Chowdhury said.

“In total, 400 companies of central forces will be deployed in the state to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections. This will be in addition to the state’s own security personnel and BSF jawans who guard the India-Bangladesh border,” the officer said.

Out of the 3,328 polling booths, 1,100 have been categorised as sensitive’ and 28 were identified as critical’, he said.

“A special drive for vehicle checking has been launched and so far 11,000 vehicles have been inspected,” Chowdhury said.

Contraband worth Rs 5.89 crore has been seized by security forces in the last few weeks, he said, adding, firearms were also recovered by the law enforcement agencies.

The Election Commission has already launched a Zero Poll Violence’ campaign in the northeastern state.

In the last assembly elections in 2018, 300 companies of central forces were deployed in Tripura.

The BJP’s minorities wing is currently engaged in a massive outreach drive, identifying 60 minority-dominated Lok Sabha constituencies across the country where the party will directly interact with such communities, the Pasmanda (the ‘left out’/backward) Muslims, in particular. That’s quite an effort given the perception as well as the projection of the party’s adversaries about the party’s image.

“Neither the BJP nor does the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) nurture enmity or hatred towards Muslims. They want welfare of the marginalised people belonging to the Pasmanda and other minority communities,” Jamal Siddiqui, national president of the BJP Minority Morcha, tells Rajesh Kumar Thakur in an interview.

What’s the current campaign of the party’s Minority Morcha about?
The BJP is a party that works for everyone’s development irrespective of caste and religion. The BJP’s Minority Morcha has planned a comprehensive four-month-long outreach programme across 60 minority-dominated Lok Sabha constituencies across the country. We will be meeting people belonging to minority communities, including Muslim Pasmandas, and inform them about the Modi government’s welfare schemes for their all-round development.

The outreach programme is due to begin after February 10. This will be preceded by an in-depth discussion at the national executive meeting of the Minority Morcha in Chhattisgarh, due February 1 and 2. We will identify 5,000 prominent minority community members, including spiritual leaders and mentors and local traders’ unions. They will be informed about the government’s development schemes.

Which states are you focusing on?
We have a comprehensive outreach schedule for 60 identified minority-dominated LS constituencies. There are13 Lok Sabha seats each in UP and West Bengal to be covered by us. Besides, there are 10 LS constituencies identified by us in Kerala that have a strong presence of minority communities, including Muslims.

In the Lok Sabha constituency of Rahul Gandhi (Wayanad), the Morcha will be conducting a wider outreach programme. Similarly, we have identified J&K’s five LS constituencies — Baramulla, Anantnag, Srinagar, Ladakh and Udhamapur.

The general perception is that the BJP and RSS are anti-Muslim…
It is a totally wrong assumption. It is a politically motivated propaganda fuelled by the Opposition to mislead the minority communities. Neither BJP nor does the RSS nurture enmity or hatred towards the Muslims or any other minority community. They want inclusive development and that’s why the PM has decided to bring changes to the lives of Pasamanda Muslims and other poor and marginalised sections.
I am a Muslim; I never faced discrimination or hatred. The RSS chief encourages us to serve the people of minority communities.

Who will you specifically interact with during the outreach programme?
The PM has directed us to meet Sufi saints, influential people of minority communities, including Pasmandas and Bohras, and traders. The PM has also told us that “India will not develop until every section is developed. So, our objective is to bring everyone in the mainstream of development and not use them for electoral gains only. This outreach is not meant to garner minority votes but to link them with economic and social development.

Is there any plan to explore potential leadership among the Muslim youth?
The BJP is not untouchable to anyone as evident in the recent elections in UP and Gujarat. What all communities want is development, equality and safety. The BJP has been promoting representation of Muslims in the party. The party has many leaders like Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and others. I also get equal participation in the party. But, yes, the Minority Morcha has started exploring potential leadership among the Muslim youth.’

The BJP has not given nomination to Muslims in many elections…
Those who blame the BJP for not giving the party ticket to Muslims are perhaps unaware of our party’s criteria of giving nominations in any election. A deserving candidate can be decided on the winnibility factor. Castes and other factors do come in. The fact is that the BJP accords equal value to Muslims.

Congress and others often accuse PM Modi of neglecting the Muslims and other minority communities…
The Congress is a misled party.  If the party wants to compete with Modi-ji, then you will have to talk about development. The PM has done a lot of hard work and has brought Indian politics into developmental mode; he has freed the people from the grips of ‘parivarvad’ (dynasty) and ‘Jativad’(casteism). Rahul Gandhi has made himself a laughing stock. I see him misleading the youth through Bharat Jodo Yatra. The Congress holds a record of communal riots. We know what had happened in Muzaffarnagar and Moradabad (Uttar Pradesh) riots during the Congress regime. If they continue to raise Gujarat riots to create hatred among people, we will have to speak about other riots that took place in the Congress rule.