Coal, cement lobbies stain Meghalaya politics

Shillong: The coal and cement lobbies in Meghalaya are increasingly controlling elections causing unstability in successive governments. The state has seen 23 governments in the last 40 years, reports CNN-IBN‘s Arijit Sen.

Coal lobbies affect Meghalaya politics. Getty Images

“Present situation is very unsettled. you never know which party will come to power. How many parties will share,” said Nongkrem MLA Ardent Basaiawmoit, who is pushing for clean politics in the state.
At least 18 Assembly candidates from either Congress or UDP have stakes in coal or cement mining. In the last five years, Meghalaya saw four governments and even President’s rule.
“They have tried to dictate in the past. They’ve tried to dictate during my time also but they’ve failed. Similar situation will be witnessed in the future,” Chief Minister Mukul Sangma told CNN-IBN.