Music adds masala to Meghalaya election

This election season get a toast of best of music Meghalaya has to offer to the world. From western to folk songs, music is ruling the roost during election-related programmes in the state.

Shillong, Feb 6: The abode of clouds, Meghalaya, is also the music hub of India. So, this election season get a toast of best of music Meghalaya has to offer to the world.
From western to folk songs, music is ruling the roost during election-related programmes in the state as candidates try to woo voters.

Go to any political event these days, a dash of song and dance is sure going to amuse you. The love for music in the state is legendary. Every candidate is accompanied by local folk singers and dancers during his/her campaign trail.

Many a times DJs are hired by political parties to accompany them during election campaigns. There is also a tradition of releasing music albums highlighting the achievements of candidates during the election times.

Recently, when Congress president Rahul Gandhi was in Shillong, the capital city, he attended a mega-music concert to speak to the music-loving voters of the state. Rahul was on a two-day visit to the state to kick-start the ruling Congress' campaign for the upcoming elections.

"Meghalaya loves music. Everyone here can sing, play musical instrument and dance. Music is a part and parcel of our lives. The election times are also no different. Thus, we have very colourful election events unlike the bland ones we see in other parts of the country," said college student David Dhkar.

Even several political parties boast of very talented and soulful musicians. Politicians in Meghalaya not only love music but are musicians themselves, like former home minister RG Lyngdoh and UDP leader Paul Lyngdoh. We have seen chief minister Mukul Sangma singing on a number of occasions in the past.

Along with music, this time political parties are making best use of social media--like Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter-- to reach out to voters with their message.

The Assembly elections in the state are slated on February 27. Along with Meghalaya, Nagaland is also voting on February 27. The assembly elections in Tripura are scheduled on February 18. The election results of all the three states will be declared on March 3. All the three states have 60-member assemblies.

OneIndia News