TURA (MEGHALAYA): Mahatma Gandhi’s walking stick has become the flavour of the election season in a key constituency in Meghalaya’s Garo Hills.
A 27-year-old, Aanamika JG Momin, who is contesting from the South Tura Assembly segment, wants to lead people the way Gandhi did. So, she chose the walking stick as her election symbol.
“The walking stick was inseparable from Mahatma Gandhiji. He carried it wherever he went and guided people. I am inspired by his walking stick and leadership qualities. So, I chose it as my election symbol, for I too want to lead people the way he led the nation,” Aanamika, who holds two post-graduate degrees, including one in marketing, told The New Indian Express.
Robert Sangma, a local, said, “We came across Gandhigiri in movies. Hers is another kind of Gandhigiri”. Aanamika has started carrying the stick wherever she goes.
The South Tura is perceived to be the toughest constituency in Garo Hills, which accounts for 24 of Meghalaya’s 60 seats. “All giants are here,” said Aanamika who is up against nine candidates, including sitting MLA John Leslee K Sangma of NCP, Billykid A Sangma of BJP and Agatha Sangma, who is the daughter of the late PA Sangma, of National People’s Party (NPP).
Incidentally, Agatha is Aanamika’s aunt. Aanamika is taking the fight sportingly. “No, I am not going after her (Agatha). I am not criticising any candidate either. Why should I? Basically, I am telling people about my vision for the constituency,” she said.
“I am a mother and I want people to vote for a mother. All sections of the society are supporting me. They want a fresh candidate to win because they have already tasted fathers and daughter (read Agatha). They now want a change,” she said.
Of the nine candidates in the fray, four are contesting as Independent. The voters in the constituency had sent an Independent to the state Assembly in the last three elections. As such, Aanamika believes she stands a good chance.
“I have been around people all along, helping them through an NGO and raising my voice on issues facing them. Given that I am a known face here, I feel people will vote for me. That I am contesting as an Independent is my advantage,” Aanamika said beaming with confidence.
Meghalaya is a matrilineal society but Aanamika said the Garo society had been entirely male-dominated. “This is time for women to show what they can do. They are the ones who look after the family. It’s time they looked after the constituency by sending me to the Assembly,” she said.