AGATHA, HAS already made a mark in the Indian political circle and is on her way out to promote and focus not just Meghalaya or Garo Hills but is also championing the cause of North East India. Agatha tells Saidul Khan in an exclusive interview.
Saidul Khan: It’s been just nine months, you have represented Garo Hills and North East in general at the national level. How has been your experience so far in the Parliament?
Agatha Sangma: Well so far it’s been quite a ride I think. To be honest, I think in a way in my life I took a plunge when I joined politics. It was a sudden decision, though I intended to join politics in the later stage. Now that I am here, I am quite happy and satisfied with my performance in the last nine months. It’s really been short. But I tried my best to represent Garo Hills and raised my voice when it comes to issues concerning the region, in the Parliament and otherwise. On the whole, it’s been a brief journey and a satisfying one. I feel my short experience has given me much more confidence to lead the people of my region, as I know I am coming back with a thumping majority.
SK: In the last few months how have you represented Garo Hills at the national level and raised your voice on issues concerning North East?
AKS: I gave my maiden speech in the Parliament by raising my concern on terrorist attack in Guwahati, Assam. I pointed out how we as a country can tackle such situation. When Bombay was in danger, the whole Parliament and the MPs from all over the country showed solidarity as we felt it was a national issue. Sadly, when Assam was attacked only the North East MPs were present, as if it was an issue only for North East. That was quite a reflection of what happens to us. We find that very often the MPs from rest of India do not feel it necessary to participate in the discussion concerning North Eastern issues. Those are the kind of attitude, I think we as the representative from North East much try and bridge the gap. I participated in the Indian Science Congress held at Shillong, where my suggestion where taken into consideration by the council. Also I was given an opportunity to accompany the President and the Vice President to foreign countries like Vietnam, Indonesia and Myanmar. It was a good experience. I was able to represent the diverse side of India.
SK: In the Lok Sabha, you were pitched against some of the old horses of country’s political environment. How did you cope up with the pressure as the youngest MP, what tips you got from your father?
AKS: To be honest, he (Purno Sangma) has never given me tips or lecture personally or sittings on how I should be a politician. I have observed him ever since I was a child, as to how he dealt with people in public and media. But really if you think about it, we are all here to create our own space. Today I am looked at mostly as PA Sangma’s daughter and I am proud of it. I am happy that I have a father like him, who is respected across party lines. When I entered Parliament, everybody spoke so highly of him. I was lucky that people irrespective of party has welcomed me. This is an initial stage and I hope in future I will be able to create my own space and an own image, which is a bigger challenge for me. Coming back to your question. It was easy to cope up in a way as everybody accepted me; they (MPs) were all warm and welcoming. I was there to do my job and I comfortable managed it.
SK: How did the youngest MP see the last Lok Sabha. What is your idea about the level of debates and discussion in the house and also about participation of young MPs?
AKS: I think the last Lok Sabha has been criticised for the degradation of quality of debates. I have attended 14th session and found that the level of debate was not upto the mark; we had lots of disturbances and adjournments in the Parliament. So many bills were passed with out discussion. There wasn’t much I can say I have learnt from the debates.
SK: Where you present during the episode of “Cash for vote”. What is your opinion on that?
AKS: Yes, I was present. It was very very disappointing because the whole country was watching us. For that matter the whole world. It was not good to see all this during my maiden visit to Parliament. I hope that such incidents do not take place. We have to ensure that Indian democracy does not become a mockery.
SK: There is a feeling among people that young leader are not getting enough chances to be part of effective decision making as legislatures and are rather overshadowed by white haired politicians. Do you agree to this?
AKS: (Simple) I think media and everybody has been very harsh to young parliamentarians. I am not talking about myself because I am very very new. Most of the young parliamentarian are from the Congress party and if you see their hierarchy always the experience person are allowed to give their opinion, the more vocal voices of the congress you see. Many a times the younger politicians had the opportunity to raise issue, but I think it’s also the fact that the party they belong to automatically gives more opportunity to the more experienced ones. My father was elected to the Lok Sabha when he was 29, but at that time no body really raised the issue than. Suddenly, today there is a wave of young politician coming in and the pressure is obvious, because everybody sees that there are so many of them (young MPs) and the pressure is there on us. But you cannot just be there and say things just for the sake of saying. If you have something constructive to say, something important to say that should be taken into consideration. There are so many of the older generation MPs who just sit and create noises in the parliament house, wasting the time. Is that better that those silent MPs ensure that the proceeding of the Parliament passes of smoothly. Of course, there is a pressure on us. We should take this as a golden opportunity and must prove ourselves.
SK: Few years’ back you were rather known as a lawyer, an environmentalist, an amateur photographer, what prompted you to join politics, was it an inner wish or your father insisted?
AKS: Last year during Meghalaya Assembly election, I did campaigning for my father and at that time I got the privilege of coming in direct contact with the people. I learnt about the problems of the people. They have poor road communication, education, health and electricity. People have to climb up and down the hill to fetch water. This touched me and I was thinking how I could make a difference for them. I also came to know how much people loved and respected my father (Purno Sangma). As I have been so close to my father, I was thinking as he comes back to state politics, a vacuum has been created. So someone really needs to fill the gap. I took the inspiration from my father and thought of making a difference for the people. This was the beginning of my political journey. Now that I have taken this plunge, I feel that it has been the right time. This is the time you have the energy and this is the time you have the time (stresses the word) and also the determination to do things. The world that I am building today, I would be able to see it in the next twenty years’. I would be seeing my contribution being materialised. I will know than, the things I did, matter a lot or not?
SK: How important was your father’s stature in your first attempt to make it to theParliament that too as the youngest MP and how difficult was it for you to make your own mark in the house given the fact that PA Sangma happened to be one of the most talked abouts peaker the house ever had?
AKS: As I have said it has been very very integral part of the place I am right now, today being PA Sangma’s daughter has really put me on a pedestal and has given an opportunity to get things done. But from here on, it will be my personal image and the way I display and perform. I will have to constructively use the opportunity!
SK: Although Meghalaya boosts of a matrilineal society, why is it that women’s participation in politics is less in Meghalaya and North East in general? Why it took more than 35 years for Meghalaya to have its first women MP?
AKS: That is again…the society structure. We are a matrilineal society…but in terms of political participation there has always been an inhibition in the society. For instance we did not have the Panchayati Raj system. Why? Because there is 33 per cent reservationf or women in that, this is the reason why PR has not come to Meghalaya. Because the men folk are not willing to accept this, as women are guaranteed 33 per cent reservation. It is really a mindset one cannot change over night; it will take some time for things like this to evolve. In a way Meghalaya is privileged as the women folk here are respected and treated in a far better way than the rest of the country where women don’t even have the property right. We have to work as a society and show that women are presently making constructive contribution in the political scenario.
SK: What are your achievements during this spell as the youngest MP in Lok Sabha and what are the areas that you feel have been missed out?
AKS: In my brief period, I tried to participate as much as I can…the nine months had been an extended campaign for me. I have visited as many places I can within Garo Hills because the election campaign was just one month and I could not touch the nook and conner of Garo Hills. And I met people and tried to know their problems. I made myself accessible to my people as much as possible. And had a first hand experience of the grassroot level issues, which I can take up in the Parliament. Now when I look back…I wished that I had participated in more debates…I could have raised more question…I could have also…yet to be honest I have done my best…and because I think I have a long way to go therefore I don’t feel the need to rush…I am quite happy with the pace that I have worked. I think that I will be able to use the next five years in a much productive way. I was able to raise one issue in the parliament on Sikkim tribes – Tamang and Limbu, they were given the ST status in 2003 and their seat should have been reserved, but since their tribes name is not listed in the representative of people’s act, therefore their seat is not yet reserved. So I have requested in the parliament house that an ordinance be issued to that effect.
SK: PA Sangma has been in politics for more than 30 years –elected no less than nine times to the Lok Sabha – and hardly ever has been beaten in a popular vote; you on your part won the by-elections with a thumping victory, how are you preparing for the ensuing polls?
AKS: I am not at all worried that I will not win this election. The fact is that I have the confidence, as I have been able to prove my capacity in the last nine months to the people. And I do feel that I have been able to do my job well. And I am sure that the people will give me the mandate to go back to the parliament. I am positive about the election and relaxed that I will be able to make it again.
SK: If once again elected to Lok Sabha, what would be your priorities as a legislature?
AKS: Development… for me development in a sustainable manner, I know India has to face many challenges and we all have to contribute in shaping our country in shaping our tomorrow. I think that we have to be part of that kind of development, which will benefit all of us in a better way. I do not believe in the way America has developed.
Her Agenda
- Mainstream the Northeast Equip the Northeast economically
- Push rest of India to create employment in the Northeast
- Help tourism catch up with its potential in the Northeast
- Improve physical connectivity between Northeast and rest of India
- More proactive state governments in Northeast
- Make doctors and engineers return to work in Northeast
- Music schools and universities in Northeast
- Special scholarships to sportsmen, especially footballers
- Integrate music industry in Northeast
- Encourage people to make movies in Northeast
- Fence border as soon as possible
- Issue identity cards to Indian citizens
- Lay down criteria to get voter I-cards
- Catch the forgers who make fake caste certificates
Fact-o-file
DOB: 24-07-1980
Father: Purno Sangma
Education: Law, Masters in Environmental Management from School of Geography, Nottingham University, United Kingdom.
Home Town: Tura, Meghalaya.
