BJP risks losing allies in northeast

If this issue (ban) isn’t resolved, we will go alone in the coming polls. We can’t compromise with the food habits of the people. It would affect our vote share if we do. TITOSSTARWELL CHYNE, working president, UDP

GUWAHATI: The Centre’s new regulations on cattle are meeting resistance in four North-eastern states that hold assembly elections next year.

According to data released by the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) in 2014, all eight North-eastern states, except Tripura, were among the top 10 most frequent consumers of beef or buffalo. Meghalayans topped the list, with nearly 81% of them consuming beef or buffalo. The figure for Nagaland was 57%; Mizoram was 23%. Meghalaya,

Nagaland and Mizoram all go to polls in 2018 and have a majority Christian population.

On Tuesday, the president of the National People’s Party (NPP) and the MP from Meghalaya, Conrad Sangma, wrote to PM Narendra Modi, arguing against the new regulations.

“The rules, among other provisions, impose a number of restrictions on cattle trade, which would have serious impact on the sociocultural and economic milieu of millions of people,” he wrote.

The NPP is a partner in the BJP’s ruling dispensations in Meghalaya and the Centre. It is also a member of the North East Democratic Alliance, the BJP-led coalition in the North-east. Sangma’s party has a significant presence in the district council of Meghalaya’s Garo Hills, where cattle traders oppose the move.

Earlier this year, the United Democratic Party (UDP), which represents eight of the 60 seats in the Meghalaya assembly, floated the possibility of allying with the BJP after the assembly elections. Now it is having second thoughts.

The party’s working president, Titosstarwell Chyne, said that the Centre’s move was “highly unacceptable” and that the BJP should emphasise putting food on everyone’s plates. “If this issue isn’t resolved, we will go alone in the coming polls,” said Chyne. “We can’t compromise with the food habits of the people. It would affect our vote share if we do.”

A Congress MP in Meghalaya also urged the Centre to withdraw the recent notification.

The Naga People’s Front, which leads the government in Nagaland in an alliance with BJP, expressed reservations as well.

“There is no question of implementing the Centre’s latest move,” said Kiyanilie Peseyie, social security and welfare minister in the Nagaland government.