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Men in Red
Whether one subscribes to, the viewpoints and ideologies of the Marxists or not is a-different matter but what cannot be disputed is the fact that the State unit of the Communist Party of India has been able to maintain a distinct identity of its own through the years and this could not have been easy given the volatile and unstable political climate in Manipur.
Unlike other political parties which have been afflicted by party intrigues, back room politics, dissidence and yes party hopping, the CPI has been able to keep its slate clean. The only time the party saw a defection was when its elected MLA from Kakching Assembly constituency switched side to the Congress and then later to the MSCP during the topsy turvy days of the Nipamacha regime.
From Ph Parijat to N Mangi to Dr Nara the party has withstood the onslaught of the dirt and grime that has besieged other parties. Perhaps it is this 'quality' that saw the CPI make a strong comeback in the 8th Assembly sending five MLAs to the August floor of the State Assembly. In the 7th Assembly the Communist party failed to send a single representative to the Assembly and its resounding-success in the last Assembly election indeed proved that a short spell in the political wilderness will not have any adverse effect on a party which is free from internal dissension and political opportunists.
One word perhaps sums up the Leftists-discipline. Given the image that it has managed to earn through the years, it was therefore not surprising that the CPI became the first political party in the State to announce the wealth and assets of its Ministers and MLAs. Yes, Haobam Bhuban did it earlier but it was at the personal level and did not involve the party to which he belonged.
However questions may still be asked over the assets declaration. To many, particularly Left baiters, the 'spartan' wealth or assets announced by the Ministers and MLAs of the CPI will sound self congratulatory and to many more the whole exercise may sound a little too populist. The sincerity behind the declaration is also not above board for there are still rooms for assets and wealth to be kept hidden. That the CPI appeared to gloss over the meager assets and wealth of its Ministers and MLAs is a little too evident and the lingering doubt that there may be more than meets the eye cannot be entirely written off.
What the Left leaders should realize is that there is no point in glamorizing 'poverty' or lack of wealth. Posers like don’t the Communist leaders have any business interest, whether wholly owned or jointly owned, whether any of its MLAs or Ministers own commercial vehicles, like say a Tata truck or a passenger bus, are relevant in today's highly materialistic world. This however is not to demean or mock at the asset declaration of the CPI leaders but need to be asked for the simple reason that no political party should take the people for a ride.
Whichever way one looks at it, the State CPI unit has set a trend and an example worth emulating. We hope the other political parties too follow suit and if its Ministers and MLAs have huge assets then go ahead and declare them for there is nothing to be ashamed of for being rich and wealthy, provided of course the money has been earned the right way. On second thoughts our political leaders will probably play up their lack of wealth and highlight their 'kacha' houses which ultimately will only bring us back to square one.
(Courtesy: The Sangai Express) |
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