NYAPIN, Oct 8: Flags of all hues and occasions symbolize the loyalty of the hoister! During elections in this part of the world, higher the flags of political parties flutter higher is the loyalty displayed, and larger the number of flags flutter larger is the chance of victory!
Besides loyalty and strength, the flags convey another very important message.
A Congress flag with the ‘palm’ symbol, the NCP flag stamped with a ‘clock’ or the AITC’s ‘Jora Ghas Phul’ fluttering high in the courtyard of a house warns opposition parties of a forbidden territory. Party workers and campaigners better make sure that the house they venture into has their party flag fluttering around lest they are welcomed by a rebuff.
In Nyapin, a remote outpost in Kurung Kumey district, electioneering brings surprise rifts between family members, clans and neighbours that arise as a result of support for candidates of Opposition parties. At such times, party flags and symbols in the courtyard of a household speak volumes without speaking a word.
“We hoist the flag of the party candidate we support not necessarily to express our loyalty (which is for granted) but to thwart potential campaigners of Opposition parties from eating our brains inside out,” says Tadar Tadap, a resident.
In an intrinsically woven tribal society, party politics is yet to become the mainstay of campaigns here. In Nyapin, politics still revolves around the particular candidate based on family, clan, village and area set-up.
Tadar Epo, whose neighbours have flags of the Opposition candidate on their roof-tops, has taken pains to hoist his candidate’s flag on a bamboo pole that shoots higher than all those around.
“My pride is at stake. So I have to tower over my neighbours,” he explains.
The height of his flag pole also has another advantage. It conveys that his support for his candidate and the party concerned is unstinted and beyond influence. Opposition members would spare him with their campaigns.
With October 13, the voting day, just round the weekend, campaigning in Nyapin and adjoining villages has reached its zenith. Charged up loyalists are even venturing into ‘forbidden territories’ to garner support for their candidate as last-minute efforts.
As a result, overnight change of flags fluttering in a household does not surprise anyone. Not even the frequent change of flags on the same bamboo pole every second day!
Nyapin township in itself has about 1,826 electorates divided amongst its four polling stations. The constituency accounts for about 10,292 eligible voters, according to latest revision of polls.
The frequency in change of flags and symbols is well noticed in Nyapin as the constituency is witnessing a straight fight between two candidates – sitting MLA Tatar Kipa of INC and NCP’s warhorse Bamang Felix. While the former is the present Education Minister, Felix is touted to get a Cabinet berth if the NCP carves a role to play in formation of the next government.
Gyamar Lohit, an ardent supporter of Felix, has not changed the NCP flag on his roof top since installation. He, however, has witnessed several changes in the last couple of weeks.
A local of Nyapin, Tadar Babin, who has travelled at least four times between Itanagar and Nyapin since the election trail began, is amused at the change of flags on houses along the way from Ziro-Point to Nyapin, some 30 odd km with less than hundred houses.
“Last time I travelled several flags on the way were of a different party. Three days later, the flags have changed,” he tells.
At Nyapin, as the mood swings so does colour of the flags! Tatar and Felix better watch out for the last moment mood and count their chances with the count of flags on the penultimate day! THE SENTINEL
Besides loyalty and strength, the flags convey another very important message.
A Congress flag with the ‘palm’ symbol, the NCP flag stamped with a ‘clock’ or the AITC’s ‘Jora Ghas Phul’ fluttering high in the courtyard of a house warns opposition parties of a forbidden territory. Party workers and campaigners better make sure that the house they venture into has their party flag fluttering around lest they are welcomed by a rebuff.
In Nyapin, a remote outpost in Kurung Kumey district, electioneering brings surprise rifts between family members, clans and neighbours that arise as a result of support for candidates of Opposition parties. At such times, party flags and symbols in the courtyard of a household speak volumes without speaking a word.
“We hoist the flag of the party candidate we support not necessarily to express our loyalty (which is for granted) but to thwart potential campaigners of Opposition parties from eating our brains inside out,” says Tadar Tadap, a resident.
In an intrinsically woven tribal society, party politics is yet to become the mainstay of campaigns here. In Nyapin, politics still revolves around the particular candidate based on family, clan, village and area set-up.
Tadar Epo, whose neighbours have flags of the Opposition candidate on their roof-tops, has taken pains to hoist his candidate’s flag on a bamboo pole that shoots higher than all those around.
“My pride is at stake. So I have to tower over my neighbours,” he explains.
The height of his flag pole also has another advantage. It conveys that his support for his candidate and the party concerned is unstinted and beyond influence. Opposition members would spare him with their campaigns.
With October 13, the voting day, just round the weekend, campaigning in Nyapin and adjoining villages has reached its zenith. Charged up loyalists are even venturing into ‘forbidden territories’ to garner support for their candidate as last-minute efforts.
As a result, overnight change of flags fluttering in a household does not surprise anyone. Not even the frequent change of flags on the same bamboo pole every second day!
Nyapin township in itself has about 1,826 electorates divided amongst its four polling stations. The constituency accounts for about 10,292 eligible voters, according to latest revision of polls.
The frequency in change of flags and symbols is well noticed in Nyapin as the constituency is witnessing a straight fight between two candidates – sitting MLA Tatar Kipa of INC and NCP’s warhorse Bamang Felix. While the former is the present Education Minister, Felix is touted to get a Cabinet berth if the NCP carves a role to play in formation of the next government.
Gyamar Lohit, an ardent supporter of Felix, has not changed the NCP flag on his roof top since installation. He, however, has witnessed several changes in the last couple of weeks.
A local of Nyapin, Tadar Babin, who has travelled at least four times between Itanagar and Nyapin since the election trail began, is amused at the change of flags on houses along the way from Ziro-Point to Nyapin, some 30 odd km with less than hundred houses.
“Last time I travelled several flags on the way were of a different party. Three days later, the flags have changed,” he tells.
At Nyapin, as the mood swings so does colour of the flags! Tatar and Felix better watch out for the last moment mood and count their chances with the count of flags on the penultimate day! THE SENTINEL
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