Did the Manipur BJP leaders have something to celebrate in the outcome of the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections? Its candidate lost out to the Congress candidate and JNU Professor Bimol Akoijam in the Inner Manipur constituency, while NPF candidate supported by BJP lost to Congress candidate Alfred Arthur in the Outer Manipur constituency. If the candidate of BJP ally RPI (Athawale) had not been there in Inner Manipur, the defeat would have been completely humiliating for the party in power.
Even then, Bimol Akoijam won by over 1 lakh votes despite the anti-Congress rhetoric and narrative in the state. In the face of such a humiliating defeat and BJP high command’s constant neglect of the turmoil in the state, BJP leaders here could have skipped the BJP celebrations in New Delhi which in fact was not at all boisterous given the lack of majority in the elections. From a target of 400 plus seats, it could secure only 240 seats. And it was left at the mercy of its NDA partners to form the government.
In short, state BJP leaders had nothing to celebrate for in view of the debacle and step-motherly treatment by party top bosses with regard to the ever-escalating conflict in the state. Instead of engaging in a rundown of the party’s defeat and a more effective strategy to convince the party bosses, they chose to hang around in New Delhi for the swearing-in ceremony of Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister for the third time.
We doubt, the party bigwigs would have even noticed their presence in New Delhi given all the hurly-burly of government formation besides the push and pulls of coalition politics. Unlucky for them, the Jiribam incidents of violence had to happen at such a time. However, instead of rushing back to the state they chose to stay further without a care. Even the state Governor was not spared in the people’s anger at lack of affirmative action on the part of the state government and camping in New Delhi while houses were being burnt and people evacuated.
Usually in such circumstances, the Chief Minister was seen to be very active in apprising the Centre and his actions were visible from his social posts. Yet this time, no social media posts of him briefing Central leaders or ministry officials regarding the flare-up in Jiribam was seen. So naturally, questions as to what he is really doing in New Delhi had to come from the general public. Interestingly, questions as to what the newly elected Congress MPs are doing regarding the Jiribam incidents were raised from certain pro-government quarters, as if they had taken over the reins of government with their win in Lok Sabha elections. Going further, these elements had even accused the Congress MPs of instigating the people against the government or dividing the people. We must say, there has to be a limit at lamenting the loss of their candidate in the hustings. While they should introspect among themselves as to how the BJP was defeated, they continue to engage in the blame game.
They cannot even convince the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to utter a meaningful response to the state crisis or visit the state or to meet the state MLAs in New Delhi. The then MPs from Manipur including that of Rajya Sabha were not allowed to speak in the parliament regarding the current crisis. It is not for sitting idle there that we are sending representatives to the Indian Parliament, but to speak and participate in debates whether one is from Ruling or the Opposition.
There were murmurs of silent protests from state MPs when they were discouraged from speaking regarding the situation. Out of the ten Kuki MLAs who have been demanding a separate administration, seven are from BJP while the rest three belong to its allies. In fact, the BJP MLAs are in majority and they could easily swing the vote as to whether they should make the demand or not for a separate administration which the other three would naturally follow. Yet, there is still an allegation from a SoO group about an understanding during the 2022 state assembly elections and of a huge sum changing hands. Of course, everything was denied. On the other hand, the leadership still dithers on taking action against the 10 MLAs who continue to defy the state.
