On Friday, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh almost resigned. He was on his way to the Raj Bhavan to submit his resignation letter but his convoy was blocked by thousands of women from various organisations who were against his resignation. They even tore the CM's resignation letter, a photo which is now viral on social media (Yes! You read that right. Social Media and you all thought the internet was banned in Manipur. But somehow..) Later, the CM clarified that he would not be resigning and tweeted, "At this crucial juncture, I wish to clarify that I will not be resigning from the post of Chief Minister".
CM Biren’s decision to resign, amid calls from some sections, comes two months into the ethnic violence that erupted in the state on May 3; since then, over 100 souls have died, hundreds of villages and houses burnt and thousands displaced from their homes. And amid the calls from various corners for peace, the visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and AICC leader Rahul Gandhi, who both called for peace, PM Modi seems to have apparently pressed the mute button.
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But amid all the chaos and ruckus in the state, would the resignation of CM Biren have helped in restoring peace in any way? A tough question to answer but it is perhaps with valid reason that the CM thought about it, with some sections calling for his resignation. Even Kuki CSOs had openly rejected any call for peace talks with Biren’s government, even objecting him from joining UHM Amit Shah when the latter visited Churachandpur. More so after the CM accepted that the present crisis was due to the failure of his government. But would his resignation have brought the Kuki CSOs to the table for peace talks?
On the other hand, the womenfolk justified their Friday actions by stating that it is not the appropriate time for the chief minister to step down, considering the ongoing unrest in Manipur. They emphasised that Biren should take it upon himself as his duty to restore peace in the state.
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So, what now? Resignations are a fact of political life but still relatively rare in Manipur politics. And although comparatively rare, political resignations are essential for the health of democracy and political institutions with the protagonists risking their political careers. And in all this, CM Biren trying to resign was expected on one hand but again, it was unexpected on the other hand.
For a man who was the first BJP CM of the state and leading the party to a thumping victory for a second term, one wouldn’t have expected his resignation. For, while some would consider resignation of the CM in such a situation for the health of democracy and the state, some would consider it a cowardly act of running away from one’s responsibility. But it is for the man at the helm to decide and take the right decision for the welfare of the state.
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And now that the chief minister has withdrawn his resignation, we look forward to him working to bring an amicable solution to the state. And yet, we still wonder, what would have happened if he had resigned – who would have succeeded him, and how would the new CM have handled the current situation.
And amid all these, we wonder if resignations are the right steps in such a situation as this.
(The views expressed are personal)
