Meghalaya: How educated are our ‘Legislators’?

SHILLONG: We all know of elections, the various political parties involved, our leaders and their governance. But imagined how would our leaders and the various political parties fair if an election based on education co-named 'Meghalaya Education Election' be held in the state!!!

To begin with, the education figure in the Legislative Assembly can be categorized into 7 educational parties—Doctorate party, Graduate Professional party, Post Graduate party, Graduate party, HSSLC party, SSLC party and last but not the least the 8th pass party.

Out of the 7 educational parties in the Legislative Assembly of 60 seats (excluding Nongstoin constituency), the Graduate party tops the list with as many as 24 legislators following by the HSSLC party with 11 legislators, SSLC party with 8 legislators, Post Graduate party standing at 6, Graduate Professionals party with 5, Doctorate party with 3 and 8th pass party with 2 legislators.

The total number of legislators who are graduates and above stand at 37 which is more than 60 percent and one expects a good outcome if all the 37 are amongst those who forms the government. But that is not so because the formation of a government in this regard will be unsuccessful without an alliance.

Let's break the parties according to the number of legislators inducted in the cabinet. Let's start with the leader of the ruling party. Chief Minister, Dr Mukul Sangma belongs to the Graduate Professional party followed by two of his cabinet ministers–Urban Affairs minister Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh and Education minister Roytre Christopher Laloo who belongs to the Doctorate Party.

The Graduate party secured a highest number with 5 members—Law Minister Rowell Lyngdoh, Home Minister Roshan Warjri, Forest Minister Prestone Tynsong, Transport Minister HDR Lyngdoh and Sports Minister Zenith Sangma.

The HSSLC party secured 3 seats—Health Minister AL Hek, Social Welfare Minister Deborah C Marak and PWD Minister Snaiwbhalang Dhar while the 10th pass party attained only a single seat in the cabinet—Power Minister Clement Marak.

Let's move on to the prominent members of the Assembly. First we have the Former chief ministers of the state —Donkupar Roy belongs to the doctorate party while DD Lapang and Salseng C Marak bears the mark of a Graduate party respectively. We also have the present and former Speakers of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly– Abu Taher Mondal, a graduate Professional and MM Danggo, a Graduate. We also have the government Chief whip, Ronnie V. Lyngdoh who is also a 12th Pass and former Cabinet minister Saleng A. Sangma who is a Post Graduate. Then there is the former deputy speaker Sanbor Shullai who is a 12th pass and a vocal member of the Assembly, James Pangsang Kongkal Sangma who is a graduate.

Lets' not forget intellectuals like Jemino Mawthoh (Doctoarate), Songsak Legislator Nihim D. Shira (Graduate Professional), Sutnga Saipung MLA Hopeful Bamon (Graduate Professional), Paul Lyngdoh, Witting Mawsor, Winnerson D. Sangma, Celestine Lyngdoh and John Leslee K Sangma who belongs to Post Graduate party.

Interestingly, we also have the former HNLC leader Julias Kitbok Dorphang who is a 10th pass and, Ngaitlang Dhar, one of the richest people in the state, who is an 8th Pass.

Ironically, we also have a dual post holder, Pynshngainlang Syiem, the CEM of KHADC who is a Graduate. Then we have the former KHADC CEM Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit who is also a Graduate.

The rest of the members of the Assembly who belongs to the Graduate Party includes–Amlarem legislator Stephanson Mukhim, Justine Dkhar of Khliehriat, chief minister's wife, Dikkanchi D. Shira, Mawlai legislator Embhahlang Syiemlieh, Marthon Sangma of Mendipathar, Noverfield R. Marak of North Tura, Robinus Syngkon of Mowkaiaw Phlastingwell Pangniang from Rambrai, Rongjeng MLA Sengnam Marak, Sohra MLA Titosstarwell Chyne and Rophul S. Marak from Rongara Siju.

In the 12th Pass party we have — Samuel M. Sangma from Baghmara, Brigady Marak from Bajengdoba, Cherak W. Momin of Kharkutta, Remington Pyngrope from Mawkynrew, Mawphlang legislator Kennedy Cornelius Khyriem, David A. Nongrum from Mawryngkneng and Michael T. Sangma from Tikrikilla.

In the 10th Pass Category, we have — Kenethson R Sangma from Dalu, Lamboklang Mylliem from Jirang, Metbah Lyngdoh from mairang, Mawthadraishan MLA Brolding Nongsiej, Rajabala legislator Ashahel D Shira and Limison D. Sangma of Raksamgre. And last we have Raliang MLA Comingone Ymbon who belongs to the 8th Pass Party.

Experts say 'Education is important for personal growth and growth of the country'.

Analyzing the educational trend within the Assembly, how far do you think our politicians can contribute to the growth of the state?

READ MORE: MEGHALAYA BIDS TEARFUL FAREWELL TO THE ARCHITECT OF STATE POLITICS