Apang wasn't Arunachal's best CM, nor was Tuki the worst
When the Arunachal Pradesh assembly was convened on February 25 for the first time after new chief minister Kalikho Pul wrested power as the Congress Legislature Party leader, two former chief ministers - Gegong Apang and Nabam Tuki - were remembered. Everyone, from Congress, BJP to independent lawmakers, spoke against Tuki’s misgovernance and made Apang look holier-than-thou.
That’s where one feels a tinge of sadness for Tuki; that’s where one thinks political history might be an ounce more unfair to Tuki as compared with Apang, without a trial.
Interestingly, Apang with over 20 years at the helm of affairs appeared a lightweight compared with Tuki, who had just about five years of experience going by the negative references made during the day-long deliberations.
Within the broad framework of wrongdoings – nepotism, mismanagement, authoritarian style of functioning – both the leaders appear to be at the same level, depending on how one wishes to judge them.
Firstly, Apang had been arrested and sent to jail in the Rs 1,000 crore PDS scam in 2010.
Secondly, Apang’s benevolence was bestowed upon his son who became an MP and Union minister. His wife and nephew became legislators.
Furthermore, Apang imposed statehood upon the people of Arunachal, despite resistance from other political parties and students’ organisations, without a bargain in his surrender ceremony solemnised on February 20, 1987. Ironically, we still celebrate that day with great pride, pomp and show.
Fourthly, despite precedences in the neighbouring Mizoram and Nagaland, Apang cheated us of our rights on religious or social practices, administration of civil and criminal justice involving decisions according to our customary law; ownership and transfer of land and its resources.
Tuki cannot be accused of such generosity, benevolence or treason against his own people.
This is not to say that Apang didn’t do any good for the society. Apang must be credited for the creation of the Donyi Polo Hearing Impaired School; till date the institute remains the only centre for physically challenged people which is nearly two percent of the state’s populace (2001 Census). Also, Apang must be credited for institutionalising Bom Kakir Mission Schools that has been catering to needy orphans.
Likewise, to the credit of Tuki, his “CM Universal Health Insurance” initiative, despite its teething problems has had many beneficiaries. Also, Tuki must be credited for institutionalising job quota for sportspersons that motivated youngsters to choose sports as a career and we are seeing its impact and might see more in the days to come.
Though Apang and Tuki are on the same side of history and in the same chapter, but unlike Apang, Tuki didn’t promote his children or wife to any position of power or didn't go to jail on corruption charges. Apang put Arunachal Pradesh on the map of tea-producing states in India with the Siang tea, and on the map of India's top public schools with the Donyi Polo Public School. He also catapulted Arunachal Times among the top newspapers in the northeast region.
Tuki, on the contrary, didn’t create any regressive long-term legacy. Amongst Tuki’s legacy would be the “near comical” blitzkrieg of foundation stone laying running into at least hundreds.
Therefore, the lawmakers’ dramatic enthusiasm, on the floor of the assembly, to make Apang better looking, was a sad and miserable attempt to glorify him as a political hero at a time when the narratives are of mismanagement, corruption, authoritarianism and of all those that Apang remains the epitome till date.
Having said this, it is to be seen what legacy new chief minister Kalikho Pul would create and leave for posterity. As a chronicler, I would eagerly wait for each of Pul’s milestones.