Shillong: Hitler is
seeking re-election in Meghalaya and so is Frankenstein. Hopeful
and Hilarious are in the running too along with Predecessor and
Process. As campaigning hots up ahead of the Feb 23 polls, the
whacky line-up of names just adds to the colour of Meghalaya's
electionscape.
The interesting, often intriguing, names of candidates have always
been the high point in any election in the northeastern state.
This time is no different.
With a population of nearly three million, Meghalaya is
predominantly Christian with Garo, Khasi and Jaintia being the
main languages spoken and English used as the link language. Most
tribal people in Meghalaya prefer names of famous people although
they know very little about their background.
"Parents often name their children after great leaders, but
sometimes due to ignorance they get fascinated by those
personalities," S.N. Lamare, a professor of history at the North
Eastern Hill University here, told IANS.
Stocky Garo tribal leader and Congress party candidate Adolf Lu
Hitler R Marak is poised for a close fight in the Bajengdoba
constituency against soft-spoken John Manner Marak of the National
People's Party.
"I am no dictator ; neither am I the namesake of Adolf Hitler,"
said Marak, explaining that his name was incomplete without his
surname - Rangsa Marak.
"No one has ever questioned me about my name," Marak told IANS.
"I have never asked my father why he chose this name for me," said
Marak, known more popularly as Hitler.
Voters, too, are oblivious of the fact that Hitler's name has a
derogatory connotation. For them, Hitler is a politician who had
earlier been a minister - there's little recall of the Nazi
dictator.
And Frankenstein Momin, a former education minister, evokes no
vision of a monster as he contests for the Manik Sarkar-led
Congress from the Mendipathar constituency.
Winnerson D. Sangma, an Independent candidate, is working overtime
in the Salmanpara constituency against his two opponents Rightious
Sangma and Boston Marak.
So is Romeo Rani, also busy trying to romance the electorate in
the Shillong East constituency, while Zenith Sangma and Moonlight
Pariat hope to radiate goodwill in the Jowai and Rangsakona
constituencies respectively.
Then there is Field Marshal Mawphaniang in Umsning, while Founder
Strong Cajee and his younger brother Sounder Strong Cajee are
fighting against their rivals in Mawlai and Shillong North.
Adamkid, Billykid, Kennedy, Adviser, Livingstone, Hopingstone,
Hopeful, Predecessor, Process and Julius are also among the 345
candidates contesting the polls for the 60-member legislature.
Bombersingh from the the Hill States People's Democratic Party and
Hilarious, an Independent, are fighting hard too to defeat their
rivals.
But for candidates like Founder, Boldness, Comingone, Amos and
Methodius, this election is going to be crucial - the Congress
leaders are focussing on stability and good governance as they
seek another term in office.
Also in the running are Highlander, Anvil, Fairly Bert and
Finelynes.
Hopingstone Lyngdoh, who has never given up on his dream for a
separate Khasi-Jaintia state to be carved out of Meghalaya, has
found Ardent and Witting in the Nongkrem and Mawthengkut
constituencies to fulfil his dream for separate state.
And one cannot simply ignore journalist Stafing Jove Langpen
Pdahkasiej, an independent - perhaps with the longest name among
the contestants.
"Indians are more sensible. We don't believe a name represents a
person's true character. A person with the name Hitler can be a
good person," Apurba K. Baruah, a political scientist at the North
Eastern Hill University, told IANS.
"Similarly, a person who may have the name of a god can be a bad
person. The name has got nothing to do with it," Baruah said.
(Raymond Kharmujai can be contacted at rrkharmujai@gmail.com)
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