NORTH EAST ELECTIONS: A LOT TO LEARN FOR A HEALTHY DEMOCRACY
A few years back when BJP vowed to spread across North-East, no one took it seriously. But, silently it has been firmly moving ahead on its goal of having a Congress-mukt North-East. An interesting thing to note here, it is not their ideology which has won but the lateral shift in their understanding of the local culture, tribes, languages, ethnicity, needs and demands. If we see the recent trends in southern states too, the national parties have failed to make a dent in the traditional vote bank. This again brings us back to the basics which has just unfurled as a mandate by people of Meghalaya, Tripura and Nagaland.
Some insights –
- North-Eastern states (mainly the current three) being women centric states have been impressed by Centre’s women-oriented projects
- Infrastructural development in these regions have been at a rapid pace
- These states fare better on overall education and infrastructural development as compared to some of the mainland states
- There are more female voters than their male counterparts
- Religion or ideology does not figure out in their decision towards a government
- Local issues and representation of tribal in mainstream politics and governance of the state
- Continuous connect with masses and resolution towards their core issues is the key
- Pre-poll alliances do not work in NE
- Blame game cannot fetch positive results
- Focus on Development is the key that matters at the end of the day
- Local tribes play the decisive role in elections
- Pay attention to local issues, ethnic conflicts, provide opportunities to youth for skills and employment
Apart from these, more participation by women in politics in coming years in North-East will definitely prove beneficial for the overall development and a better connect with entire India.