TURA, May 23 - The Tura Lok Sabha by-election saw a decisive vote against the Congress. The record win by Conrad Sangma, who bettered the record margin of his father, Purno A Sangma, has pointed to the Congress ship not really sailing on smooth waters.
For the Congress candidate, Dikkanchi D Shira, who is also a sitting legislator and wife of Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma, the defeat will not be the sole point of hurt, the margin of defeat will definitely sting.
The extent of the victory was such that even Congress strongholds were broken into, and only the CM�s bastion Ampati being the only saving grace, though the margin of lead in the constituency will give the CM sleepless nights.
The Congress got the basic campaign off on the wrong foot. The attacks on the BJP, the attempt to divide votes on communal lines as well as what people have termed an arrogance from the Congress made sure that the party was on sticky ground.
Voters hit back after promises were not kept, if the case of Rongjeng is taken into account. After being denied a sub division, the people of Rongjeng hit back through the ballot. The Congress received a total of only 2,285 votes for and 17,045 against.
The Congress appeared confident of victory, especially with 22 MLAs in their kitty along with a huge support of party workers and youth leaders. Their efforts, however, fell flat in the face of a wave of sympathy for PA Sangma�s son.
The Congress had played down the possibility of a wave of sympathy for Conrad and the NPP stating that Garo Hills had not voted for sympathy and the time of Conrad�s father was over and Garo Hills would vote otherwise.
The Congress campaign was hit hard after the BJP complained against the tone of the campaigns, alleging the campaign sought to spread hate. The matter was referred to the EC through the Returning Officer and an official censure was issued to Dikkanchi.
The Congress also had to contend with anti-incumbency and the effect has been overwhelming.
The decisive victory provides a cue to the coming days especially in the aftermath of a BJP victory in neighbouring Assam.
The BJP win in Assam will definitely change the dynamics of the political landscape of Meghalaya. Unless the CM, Dr Mukul Sangma and the party introspect to regain lost ground, the proverbial �writing on the wall� stare at them in the 2018 Assembly polls.
Sangma, who had led the Congress campaign, had gone to the extent of announcing his intention of wiping out the NPP in 2018, in an election rally. The tables, however, have now turned and the Congress finds itself in an un-envious position.
