| Guarding the fort
After all they all want to share power and it seems that not a single party is willing to sit in the Opposition and check misdeed by the Government that would be coming at the end of the entire election process, unless of course circumstances tie them on the Opposition benches. The Congress (I), which has emerged as the single largest party, has managed to head a front under the name and style of Secular Progressive Front (SPF), by bringing three other splinter parties of Manipur State Congress Party, CPI and the NCP together.
Although Rishang Keishing the senior most leader of the Congress (I) could not return to the Assembly he will continue to play a major role in power politics. He has made himself conveniently the convener of the newly floated Front. The BJP with only four MLA elects in its pocket has also not given up the hope of capturing power.
RK Dorendro is working overtime to upset the Congress (I) apple cart. The Federal Party of Manipur, which has improved the performance considerably, is not ready to sit in the Opposition. Until now the stand of the party on joining of hands has not been announced. The final decision of the FPM may trigger a series of developments.
The Congress (I) now is keeping its fingers crossed. Although the party managed to constitute a Front that has a simple majority, it could not ignore totally the "threat" posed by the BJP. That BJP both in the state and New Delhi are determined to see a BJP led regime in Manipur. BJP`s desperation is understandable in view of the debacle the party suffered in the other three states where elections were held along with Manipur.
In all likelihood the Congress (I) with the support of the other three
parties will be staking claim to form the next government and the process may be initiated by the Governor after the entire election process is over. And Congress being the single largest party and in view of the forging of the alliance the Governor Bed Marwah is expected to invite the Congress (I) to its luck. And chances are that the Secular Progressive Front may form the Government provided of course that the flock remains intact by then.
The election of the MPCC (I) president Okram Ibobi Singh as the leader `unanimously` does not satisfy all the newly elected Congress legislators. The storm brewing inside Th.Devendra was quite palpable during the reception of the successful party candidates at the Congress Bhavan yesterday.
Congress leaders from Delhi Pranab Mukherjee and Mani Shanker Aiyer, who surprised the formation of the Front and the election of Ibobi, said that all constituent partners in the front have emphasized the need to check defection. But it will be interesting to see how it is translated into action. But at the moment Ibobi`s greatest challenge is to keep his flock within and without the party intact and happy.
(Courtesy: The Sangai Express)
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