Taking The Bull By The Horns

James Michael Lyngdoh

Chief Election Commissioner

Those who have studied with James Michael Lyngdoh in Shillong recall him for a number of reasons: a quiet, laid-back personality, a sense of humour... But the strong jawline of the Chief Election Commissioner suggests a stubborn disposition.

If the Supreme Court pronounces that Lyngdoh exceeded his brief in deciding when a state government can hold a free and fair election, he will have to offer his resignation.

On the other hand, if the apex court says he was right, and not the government, Lyngdoh will further set himself on a collision course with the NDA. There are some in the 25 member NDA, like the Samata Party, who view him sympathetically. But for the most part, Lyngdoh will need a strong jaw to take all that is coming for him in the future.

This is quite a change, indeed. Lyngdoh has had an otherwise blameless, if dull, bureaucratic career after he joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1961 as a Bihar cadre officer.

Routine postings