BJP in a spot (December 9)

The decision taken by the Election Commission to hold elections to the Manipur Assembly along with States of Punjab and Uttaranchal in early next year is on expected line. But holding of Manipur Assembly elections along with the three other States before the next monsoon still remains a big question mark. 

The Center had of course expressed its desire to hold the election to the Manipur Assembly at an earlier date. But the Union Government's decision followed pressure from Opposition Parties notably the Congress. The Congress supported the extension of the President's Rule in Manipur for another period of six months after the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government assured that the President's Rule will not be extended further and the elections would be held early next year. It is more than apparent that the BJP both at the Center and Manipur do not favor an early poll in Manipur in view of the nosedive the popularity chart of the party has taken the cease fire extension row erupted and the Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance (POTO) promulgated.

As a matter of fact majority of the former BJP MLAs had already deserted the party and joined some other groups. This is in view of the bleak prospect the party is facing in ensuing hustings. It is natural then that today only a few political heavyweights are left in the State BJP. If elections are to be held in the next few months the BJP will put up a very pathetic performance. Faced with these grim realities the BJP both in Manipur and New Delhi would be happy if the election is delayed as far as possible. 

They want more time to regain the lost ground caused by the cease-fire extension as well as the POTO. Common citizens who are already reeling under draconian laws like the Armed Forces Special Power Act fear that they will become victims of the new legislation if passed by the parliament. The decision taken by the union Cabinet to make some changes in the Bill like reduction of the operational period from five to three years and deletion of Section 3(8) dealing with the disclosure of the journalists' sources of information regarding terrorist activities has failed to dispel the fear.

Since the popularity ratings of the BJP and the Samata Party are at the lowest level the parties disfavor an early election. When Samata Party leader and former Chief minister Radhabinod Koijam admitted that NDA member parties have become untouchables in Manipur he was not exaggerating.

But the Center had given its word for holding early election along with the other three States. Moreover if the election is not held till June 1 next the Constitution will have to be amended. The Opposition particularly the Congress will not allow the Center to delay the elections. The State unit of Congress is also on a comeback mission. Given the circumstances the BJP and its allies are in a very tight spot. It remains to be seen how the NDA delays the election of the Manipur Assembly. 

(Courtest: The Sangai Express)

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