`Abode of the clouds` Meghalaya is unique in more ways than one. Be it the splendours of nature of the welcoming people, the hill state is uniquely positioned in the firmament of India.
The state also has a lively political scene with the most famous son of the soil to make a mark in national politics being Purno Agitok Sangma, the former speaker of Lok Sabha.
The political heavyweight,who has been in wilderness with his National People`s Party, is hoping to resurrect his career by contesting from the Tura parliamentary seat. He is facing Congress` Daryl William Cheran Momin in what is being dubbed as battle of prestige, however, it is another matter that Sangma has never lost from the constituency.
Tura and the other parliamentary seat from the state, Shillong, will vote on April 9.
Eight candidates, including union minister Vincent H Pala from the Congress, are battling out in Shillong.
Others in the fray are Paul Lyngdoh (United Democratic Party), Shibun Lyngdoh (Bharatiya Janata Party), Richard D. Shabong (CPI), Armerington Kharshiing (Aam Aadmi Party) and PBM Basaiawmoit, Denis Siangshai and Ivoryna Shylla (all Independents).
The Congress` reported plan to ban on minorities to contest and vote in district council polls has added to the conundrum.
Also, the creation of Telangana, has once again stirred the pot in far away Mehgalaya with Garos renewing the demand for Garoland and the Khasi-Jaintia people wanting Khasi-Jaintia Hills as a desperate state.
With jailed chairman of the banned Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) Champion R Sangma having expressed desire for dialogue to end bloodshed in the militant-hit Garo Hills region, the state may seen an end to blood shed paving way for the search for an democratic alternative.
Power rebel outfit, A`chik National Volunteer Council (ANVC) that has its presence in five districts of Garo hills has also scaled down its demand for creation of a separate Garoland state, following which the Home Ministry has indicated that the new government will sign a pace accord with the outfit.
