Framework Agreement, MU crisis : Issues before LS polls
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: September 04 2018 -

The BJP led Government at Imphal must be worried. And it has reasons to be worried.

As stated in an earlier commentary here, the coming Lok Sabha elections will prove to be much more important for the BJP than the Congress, in so far as Manipur is concerned and there are reasons for this and however much the BJP may not like to admit, two issues can have a deep impact on the upcoming Parliamentary elections.

A veteran politician that he is, Chief Minister N Biren must be aware of this.

How will the outcome of the Framework Agreement between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India impact on the outcome of the Lok Sabha elections here ?

This is particularly more so in the Inner Parliamentary Constituency and this is what must be worrying the leadership of the BJP in Manipur.

This is not to say that the fate of the BJP has been sealed in the Inner Parliamentary Constituency, but a lot will depend on the final deal when it is inked.

To the BJP led Government at New Delhi this may not mean much for what is at stake here is but just one seat, but surely the State unit of the BJP cannot take this line for remember it is the party which is heading the coalition Government here.

Moreover one need to remember the Congress Mukt slogan coined by the BJP not so long back and giving any room to the Congress would run against this slogan.

On the other hand, there is the Congress breathing down hard on the neck of the BJP on this plank and it will surely be interesting to see how things pan out in the coming days.

How about the MU crisis, which has taken a new turn with AP Pandey back in office in defiance of the MoA signed on August 16 ?

Everyone knows where AP Pandey draws his strength from and if the stalemate is allowed to continue further, it will not do the image of the BJP any good.

Again Chief Minister N Biren and the top leadership of the State BJP must be aware of this and how things develop can have an impact on the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

This is about MU and AP Pandey and coming back to the Framework Agreement all will agree that as things stand today, something has to be given to the NSCN (IM) and in such a case, what is it that will be acceptable to the people of Manipur ?

Has the State BJP leadership got in touch with the numerous CSOs and others to get their opinion ?

And if anything is given to the NSCN (IM), what is it that the BJP led Government can demand from New Delhi for the people of Manipur ?

Has any thought been given along this line ?

This is not the time to rest easy on the assurance of the BJP leaders at New Delhi but to draw up game plans to be put on the board when the final deal is inked or when the right opportunity comes along.

In such a situation, it would be in the interest of all if the Congress and the BJP can sit down together and discuss what steps can be taken up jointly.

This is an issue concerning the State and political differences should not come in the way of striking a common stand.

Manipur is central to the voice of protest raised against the Framework Agreement and this point should not be lost on the BJP and the Congress.