BJP cruises to victory, Congress in ruins
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: March 11, 2022 -

MORE than its stupendous showing enroute to regaining power, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would be relishing the decimation of the Indian National Congress as well as its NEDA ally National People's Party (NPP) unable to make much of an impact.

The ruling BJP too must be rueing that it could not grab more than its targeted figure but outcome of the polls is unlikely to dampen the party's mood.

Rather the electoral defeat suffered by NPP top guns Jike deputy chief minister Yumnam Joykumar and former minister L Jayantakumar would be treasured the most.

Similarly, the fall of Congress' stalwarts like N Loken and Gaikhangam would make the saffron party believe that its objective to root out the grand old party is materialising.

Regardless of violent incidents marring the democratic exercise and reports of unprecedented number of proxy voting at some polling stations, the healthy turnout of voters rung out the message that the people are eager to exercise their franchise and contribute their mite in bringing the desired socio-political reformation.

Officially, the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly elections recorded turnout of over 89.3 per cent compared to 79.5 per cent and 86.4 per cent registered in the 10th and 11th elections respectively.

With 90 per cent or above votes polled in 36 out of the total of 60 constituencies, such a trend also indicated that other factors had come into play if one takes into account that the high turnout was recorded in closely contested assembly constituencies like Wangoi, Mayang Imphal, Lamlai, Lamsang, Hiyanglam and Heirok in the valley districts.

That the candidates and parties left no stone unturned to win the election could be comprehended from the CEO Manipur elaborating record seizures of different items worth Rs 170 crore as against about Rs 5 crore in the 2017 polls.

Though confiscation of cash of Rs 6.14 crore was not surprising as heavy investment has been the norm in the state, it was the seizure of drugs and narcotic substances worth Rs 143 crore by different enforcement agencies which should be of serious cause of concern.

While the counting process and the victory rallies passed off without any major incidents as was feared considering the slew of pre-poll violence and sporadic cases of attacks and intimidation of voters after the votes were cast, there is still no guarantee that the orderly situation will continue.

Regardless of the state witnessing one of the most violent elections in recent years if one takes into account of the casualty figures and acts of arson committed by political workers, the ECI, CEO and all district election officers have done a commendable job in keeping unwanted incidents from spiralling out of control considering the fact that there were serious allegations of the elections held under shadow of money and muscle.

As the jubilant party workers engage in wild celebration, BJP state and national leaders will have to take a call on whether to continue with the same old alliance partners or form the government with new allies for possible leadership tussle will definitely compel shoring up the support base among contenders for the chief minister's post.