| Hoping against hope?
The announcement made by both the Samata and the BJP that they would not have any pre-poll alliance in Manipur does not surprise any one despite the fact that both the parties are partners in the NDA at the Center. Ever since the toppling of the then Samata Party led coalition by the BJP in Manipur the two parties are at daggers drawn.
Samata leader Radhabinod said it would be in bad taste to join hands with the BJP after so much bickering. He, however, keeps the option open in the post poll scenario. Samata says it may have a tie up after the polls if the BJP "agrees to behave properly". Releasing names of 48 candidates the BJP announced that it would go all alone in Manipur.
As of now all the parties are going it alone, but "like minded parties" will come together to capture power as the chances of a fractured verdict is very high. The new look Federal party of Manipur is hoping to emerge as the single largest party and head the next Ministry. So are the Manipur State Congress Party (MSCP) led by Lok Sabha MP Thounaojam Chaoba and the Congress (I).
Former MSCP leader and Chief Minister Wahengbam Nipamacha's Manipur National Conference is not making much noise. The new party, Democratic Peoples Party is hoping to spring a surprise. But it is a foregone conclusion that no party will secure the absolute majority, although it is too early to predict which party will garner the highest number of seats, which means that the 7th Manipur Assembly will be revisited.
In the last elections the MSCP formed the Government by virtue of being the single largest party. When the Assembly was dissolved the MSCP was broken into smithereens, the second largest party Congress was left to hold a lone MLA and the BJP, which shared the third, ran with the FPM had swollen into 26 MLAs. Almost all the splinter parties were swallowed by the bigger leagues. As a matter of fact at the end of the term it was a difficult task to identify, which MLA was elected on which ticket.
If the 7th Assembly was plagued with splits, defection and shifting alliance the nomination of
almost the former MLAs as candidates should be enough hint that nothing much will change in this round also. The fact that no party enters into a pre-poll alliance would make it seem that the door is kept open for a no hold barred defection. This is a cause for worry. Because frequent defection and floor crossing by our honorable members means political instability and chaos.
Democracy should have differences and varied opinions for public good. But the way our elected members are taking advantages of this fact is detrimental to the general health of the State. Any ruling member will remain loyal to his party as long as he occupies a Ministerial berth that too with a lucrative portfolio while those who miss the bus will start rocking the boat. Are we hoping against hope?
(Courtesy: The
Sangai Express) |
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