(Published in The Sentinel Arunachal, dated on 27th-Oct, 2009)
Khandu with his chosen ‘42’ is oozing with confidence and comfort. No wonder that Khandu indicated about retaining the same old team with two additional new faces in lieu of Lombo Tayeng and Tatar Kipa. A source, who has known him for long, told that he would like to keep his ‘chieftains’ happy therefore he would follow their advice. That is exactly what he did last time when he became Chief Minister for the first time.
It may be noted that in his last team, 5 districts- West Kameng, Lower Subansiri, Upper Siang, Dibang Valley, and Lower Dibang Valley-were not represented. It may recollect that there were 2 representatives each from 2 districts: Tako Dabi & Lombo Tayeng (East Siang), Takar Marde & Tanga Byaling (Upper Subansiri)
This time, however, the Chief Mninister has grown wiser to he fact that denying ew districts their ‘legitimate share’ of the ‘the ministerial cake might not be taken by Congres workers and the supporters in those constituencies or districts lying low. With little choice, Khandu will have to tread carefully in at least three districts of Kurung Kumey, West Kameng and Upper Siang. Despite overall poor electoral performance of congress in their respective districts, these districts have returned, a sitting MLA each.
With apex student body of Kurung Kumey district is already gunning for its share of cabinet representation to the CM, a political observer commented that this could be the beginning of real show in the entire electioneering process. Also, within newly elected congress legislatures, couples of leaders are disgruntled lot because of greater importance given to few ‘chieftains’, despite no major contributions to the party and to the government.
It appears that Khandu may have decimated his ‘internal competition insofar as CM race is concern’ but he may have a long road ahead. However, with couple of years of experience behind as CM, Khandu is likely to focus on greater vision for Arunachal, without worrying about ‘power-game’. Therefore, this time, Khandu has to think about all districts and its MLAs except Lower Dibang Valley, from where there is no congress legislature.
Nevertheless, question remains unanswered about his ‘appeasement strategy’ with only ‘12+2’ berths at his disposal. Practically, he has two options to choose from & decide: either to rely on political wisdom or adopt & apply quantitative methodology. Latter option could be more convincing vis-à-vis first option. However; second option could complicate the ‘tricky and sensitive’ subject more; because there are 2 ways of going about applying quantitative methodologies: One, if ‘ratio’ based formula of Congress at centre is to be followed, 5 districts- Kurung Kumey, Upper Siang, Dibang Valley, Lower Dibang Valley and Anjaw- may go unrepresented in Khandu’s team. And, 3 districts- West Siang, Tirap & Changlang- shall be rewarded with 2 posts each. That’s similar situation as in last team composition. But losing the outgoing finance minister, in that process, could be unthinkable for him at the moment. Secondly, if performance (cut-off: 50% strike rate of Congress) is taken as basis for district-wise allocation; then again 5 districts-West Kameng, East Kameng, Kurung Kumey, Upper Siang, Lower Dibang Valley- shall still be unrepresented. These districts are represented by stalwarts like TN Thongdok (though new yet a known technocrat), Kumar Waii, RT Khunjuju, Atum Welly and JK Panggeng. And like earlier scenario, 3 districts end up with 2 posts each. That is no different situation.
Coming back to the first option of relying on ‘political wisdom’, it may look the best option given the situation. But can Khandu afford to offer 2 posts to certain districts like in his previous tenure, while ignoring more deserving districts like Tirap, Changlang and West Siang. Besides electoral performance, Tirap-Changlang and West Siang needs focus attention to counter increasing activities of ultras.
Whichever way he decides, Khandu has to keep the greater challenges ahead of Arunachal in mind and decides the composition of team. Till he decides, concerned citizens too would join him in splitting their hair to solve the zig saw puzzle of five districts with zero and three districts with two representations respectively.
Khandu with his chosen ‘42’ is oozing with confidence and comfort. No wonder that Khandu indicated about retaining the same old team with two additional new faces in lieu of Lombo Tayeng and Tatar Kipa. A source, who has known him for long, told that he would like to keep his ‘chieftains’ happy therefore he would follow their advice. That is exactly what he did last time when he became Chief Minister for the first time.
It may be noted that in his last team, 5 districts- West Kameng, Lower Subansiri, Upper Siang, Dibang Valley, and Lower Dibang Valley-were not represented. It may recollect that there were 2 representatives each from 2 districts: Tako Dabi & Lombo Tayeng (East Siang), Takar Marde & Tanga Byaling (Upper Subansiri)
This time, however, the Chief Mninister has grown wiser to he fact that denying ew districts their ‘legitimate share’ of the ‘the ministerial cake might not be taken by Congres workers and the supporters in those constituencies or districts lying low. With little choice, Khandu will have to tread carefully in at least three districts of Kurung Kumey, West Kameng and Upper Siang. Despite overall poor electoral performance of congress in their respective districts, these districts have returned, a sitting MLA each.
With apex student body of Kurung Kumey district is already gunning for its share of cabinet representation to the CM, a political observer commented that this could be the beginning of real show in the entire electioneering process. Also, within newly elected congress legislatures, couples of leaders are disgruntled lot because of greater importance given to few ‘chieftains’, despite no major contributions to the party and to the government.
It appears that Khandu may have decimated his ‘internal competition insofar as CM race is concern’ but he may have a long road ahead. However, with couple of years of experience behind as CM, Khandu is likely to focus on greater vision for Arunachal, without worrying about ‘power-game’. Therefore, this time, Khandu has to think about all districts and its MLAs except Lower Dibang Valley, from where there is no congress legislature.
Nevertheless, question remains unanswered about his ‘appeasement strategy’ with only ‘12+2’ berths at his disposal. Practically, he has two options to choose from & decide: either to rely on political wisdom or adopt & apply quantitative methodology. Latter option could be more convincing vis-à-vis first option. However; second option could complicate the ‘tricky and sensitive’ subject more; because there are 2 ways of going about applying quantitative methodologies: One, if ‘ratio’ based formula of Congress at centre is to be followed, 5 districts- Kurung Kumey, Upper Siang, Dibang Valley, Lower Dibang Valley and Anjaw- may go unrepresented in Khandu’s team. And, 3 districts- West Siang, Tirap & Changlang- shall be rewarded with 2 posts each. That’s similar situation as in last team composition. But losing the outgoing finance minister, in that process, could be unthinkable for him at the moment. Secondly, if performance (cut-off: 50% strike rate of Congress) is taken as basis for district-wise allocation; then again 5 districts-West Kameng, East Kameng, Kurung Kumey, Upper Siang, Lower Dibang Valley- shall still be unrepresented. These districts are represented by stalwarts like TN Thongdok (though new yet a known technocrat), Kumar Waii, RT Khunjuju, Atum Welly and JK Panggeng. And like earlier scenario, 3 districts end up with 2 posts each. That is no different situation.
Coming back to the first option of relying on ‘political wisdom’, it may look the best option given the situation. But can Khandu afford to offer 2 posts to certain districts like in his previous tenure, while ignoring more deserving districts like Tirap, Changlang and West Siang. Besides electoral performance, Tirap-Changlang and West Siang needs focus attention to counter increasing activities of ultras.
Whichever way he decides, Khandu has to keep the greater challenges ahead of Arunachal in mind and decides the composition of team. Till he decides, concerned citizens too would join him in splitting their hair to solve the zig saw puzzle of five districts with zero and three districts with two representations respectively.
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