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WHEN J.M. Lyngdoh was appointed Election Commissioner by the H.D.Deve Gowda Government five years ago, it was thought to be an innocuous selection and taken little notice by the media. It was generally believed that the man from Meghalaya was picked up to appease the people of North-Eastern states.

It was for the first time that an officer belonging to the far-flung region was appointed to the high-profile job bypassing such an influential contender as the then Home Secretary, K. Padmanabhaiah. Lyngdoh then held the rank of Secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat. On his part, the new Election Commissioner, maintained a low profile; rarely opening his mouth or trying to project himself. Those were post-T.N.Seshan days and the Election Commission had been reeling under the influence of “activism” set in motion by Seshan.

Seshan’s successor, M.S. Gill, pursued the activism of an independent Election Commission but democratised the Commission’s functioning in contrast to Seshan’s steamroller style. Coming from the North-East and little known in Delhi, Lyngdoh was thought to be a “goody-goody” person who lacked initiative and drive. How mistaken were those who thought so including the media “Pandits”.

Inquiry with Lyngdoh’s contemporaries in the Indian Administrative Service and those who have worked with him reveal that he is among a few in the IAS who possesses three sterling qualities: integrity, intelligence and competence. Also, he is absolutely immune to influence from any quarter.

Being quite senior in the hierarchy, Lyngdoh was sounded by Deve Gowda for the Cabinet Secretary’s post but his reply was a firm “No”. The reason; his colleague T.S.R. Subramaniam was senior to him but, for whatever reason, the then Prime Minister preferred Lyngdoh. His comment at that time was “I do not believe in superseding senior officers”. Subramaniam thus became the Cabinet Secretary and Lyngdoh, after retirement, was appointed Election Commissioner in the three-member Election Commission.

A Khasi from Meghalaya, Lyngdoh abhors sycophancy, has no political leanings and is not known for losing temper. He must have been hurt when the BJP spokesman doubted his integrity and obliquely accused him of being a Congress agent. The BJP’s high-flying Spokesman Arun Jaitely must be regretting having a swipe at the CEC and then retracting, as if, eating back his own words. Also, there must have been grave provocation for Lyngdoh’s outburst during an on-the-spot assessment of the situation in Gujarat.

Evidently, the state officers tried to mislead him and got a tongue lashing from the CEC — too seasoned and upright an officer to be taken for a ride. He is, after all, a high constitutional authority and has to take a vital decision; if the situation is conducive for holding election in the communally surcharged Gujarat.

Compare Lyngdoh’s style of functioning as CEC with his two predecessors —flamboyant Seshan and self-projecting Gill and the IAS from Meghalaya is proving to be more pragmatic and forthright in vital decision making. Unlike his distinguished predecessors, he considers himself a representative of the Commission and not a separate entity; involves his two colleagues in the decision-making process. Gill’s experience, in his own words was: “It was a challenge to run the three-member Commission harmoniously and unanimously”. It is not so with Lyngdoh as his two colleagues — T.S. Krishnamurthy and B.B.Tandon function in perfect coordination and harmony with him. Lyngdoh’s term will run up to February, 2004 and it portends to be eventful.

Low-profile Lyngdoh, appointed Chief Election Commissioner in June, this year, has many unknown facets of his personality and it is time now the voters must know their CEC — a high constitutional authority. His full name is James Michael Lyngdoh and his father was a highly respected Meghalaya judge.

A Princeton product, Lyngdoh qualified for IAS in 1961 and allotted Bihar cadre. Soon he acquired the reputation for probity and regarded by state’s politicians as uncooperative. He refused to comply with what had been termed as “objectionable orders” of the then Bihar Chief Minister Kedar Pandey and had to go on leave. Like former Lok Sabha Speaker, P.A. Sangma, he is a Khasi tribal. Sangma holds him in high esteem and says the CEC is touchy about his self-respect and will never compromise on principles.

Lyngdoh is a black belt in karate, exercises every morning and leads an austere and disciplined life. Also he has sound knowledge of French and German and his English diction perfect. After years of anonymity, he has now come in the limelight and his style of functioning reflects resoluteness. Though assertive, unlike Seshan, he is openminded on issues involving the Election Commission.

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