The other day a BJP legislator said that it is necessary to elect someone who can convince the Central leadership, lobby hard and get things done in the interest of Manipur. The same idea was floated by the BJP candidate himself on a social media platform a few days ago. Well, this seems to be the official line and strategy of the party in power.
Interestingly, this strategy seeks to nullify the widespread opinion among the general public that we need to elect a good orator and debater who has conceptual clarity and could articulate the problems of the state in the Indian parliament, and not someone who would sit out the term in silence.
Manipur had seen quite a interesting lot of MPs. One fine gentleman called N Tombi Singh got so bored that he translated a Manipuri epic in his spare time, although he sat in many parliamentary committees being a senior member. He was quite a gracious host to Manipuris visiting New Delhi on personal business or for treatment, but his participation in parliamentary debates remains minimal.
It is not only in Lok Sabha but in Rajya Sabha also, where many of our MPs sat out their terms some dozing all the way through. One was particularly famous for tabling his statement instead of participating in the debate or one took maximum advantage of the Zero Hour.
Four of the MPs, including the present incumbent RK Ranjan Singh had become Union Ministers of State. The late RK Jaichandra Singh must be the only MOS with independent charge that too of a high-profile Youth Affairs & Sports Ministry during Rajiv Gandhi’s tenure as Prime Minister. His son RK Imo is now with the BJP.
The present BJP candidate Th Basanta Singh’s father Th Chaoba Singh also became a Union Minister of State for Culture, Youth Affairs & Sports during Atal Behari Vajpayee’s tenure. Prof Meijinlung Kamson also became the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs.
The latest MOS is a former educational administrator RK Ranjan, who had been denied the party ticket this time. He was given the important portfolios of External Affairs and Education.
With nothing much to do here RK Ranjan was busy fulfilling his duties of engaging in foreign jaunts and meeting dignitaries in several countries especially in South-East Asia region to maintain good and friendly relations with the said countries.
Although he represents the Inner Manipur Parliamentary constituency which covers the most parts of the valley, he could do precious little as he had not been given responsibilities either by the Centre or by his party government here. In short, he was helpless. There is a thing with being a Minister. They do not generally participate in parliamentary debates except when it is for answering questions put up by the Opposition or other MPs.
Being a MOS also has few opportunities if the departments entrusted by the concerned Cabinet Minister is minor. To the utter disappointment of the people of the state, RK Ranjan had not been given an opportunity to take part in a recent parliamentary debate on Manipur unrest along with the Outer Manipur MP Lorho Pfoze.
According to the Outer MP his request to participate in the debate was rejected while MOS Ranjan was asked ‘to keep mum’ by the leadership. Well, there are two other MPs in the Rajya Sabha from the state and they also were not given an opportunity to speak. This is the predicament of our MPs.
Perhaps that is why BJP is banking on the power of persuasion and a skilled lobbyist who could get things done or that they have already conceded to the notion of their candidate being no match for the Professor from JNU in terms of oratorial skills.
They seem to have forgotten the fact that it is not enough to perform only in the corridors of power and Parliament, but outside the Parliament also. It has become a pre-requisite for a representative from a small state like ours to be one who has the capability and guts to convince the Indian public opinion also.
(The views expressed are personal)
