The BJP does not know what to do with Sharmila
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: April 26 2011 -

PRAKASH JAVEDKAR, the national spokesperson of theBJP has demanded that the 'National Investigative Agency', NIA, take over the case of the assassination bid on Wungnaoshang Keishing, MLA of Phungyar A/C on 15 April, 2011.

Judged from his words the BJP, with an eye on the forthcoming IMC election and the general election due in 2012 is posing before the political camera. The unfortunate life bid on MLA Wungnaohang is being decried with appropriate political anger and wonderment.

However when Javedkar was asked why the Central government, (a non-BJP one) took a double standard approach to the fasts of Anna Hazare and Sharmila he suddenly took a prone position and remarked guardedly 'It is the responsibility of the government'. In the context, it remains to be seen how many votes can the BJP state unit collect in its pockets full of political holes.

Irom Chanu Sharmila has caught the imagination of the knowing world, but she does not quite figure in the political scape of the BJP which in its wisdom has chosen to view askance her struggle.

Why? Because the BJP has not quite worked out as to where, Sharmila should be placed in the pantheon of Indian achievers.

The necessity of votes and electoral victories of a force that is 'Indian' is desperately trying to come to an impossible tie up with a force that is essentially anti Hinduvta. Strange bed fellows? May be not, since they do not try to know each other.

BJP touts in the state may sing a different refrain, but in reality the BJP is on the teether on making the choice of declaring Sharmila a national champion. The BJP's mind gets fuddled and misty when it feels it may be asked to invite Sharmila and her ilk for tea because that could compromise the Indian identity.

And yet the party unit, in Manipur keeps heaving and puffing for a pro Manipuri stance realising fully well their chances of electoral victories are as rare as a blue moon.

Anna Hazare is a Gandhite, and yet he gets the attention of the BJP because of his ability to embarrass the Union Government.

After all he had challenged the shoddy nature of Indian politics, its corrupt practices and unkept promises. The BJP felt he was a blessing in disguise and stealthily hid behind his crusade to sloganeer the government.

All is fair in love and war, right? Not quite so, when it comes to the BJP's understanding and explaining the crusade of Sharmila.

That vibrant anti Congress babble turns into a choking gasp when the BJP switches the subject from Anna Hazare to Irom Sharmila. In such times it seems the BJP has inadvertently swallowed a piece of alum as it gasps to explain the party's loud silence on Sharmila.

Maybe it is their destiny in Manipur to keep on grasping for answers and understandings.

Good luck to them as they tread without knowledge on the quicksand of Manipur politics, led by local guides with a total lack of political guile.

Irom Sharmila has become the Joan of Arc of Manipur, our leaders, unable to anoint her have decided to force feed her to her last days.

India's 'mighty' BJP has decided she is not an incarnation of any Hindu god or goddess and has conveniently considered her an aberrant. She has the blessings of the people.