Agenda of the BJP led Government in Manipur
- Part 1 -

Dr. Khomdon Lisam *

The people of Manipur including all ethnic groups are beninning to experience an unprecedented euphoria seeing the massive changes brought by Shri Nongthombam Biren Singh, Hon'be Chief Minister of Manipur during the short span of two months. Probably the Almighty might have chosen him as the Chief Minister of Manipur to heal the wounds inflicted on Manipur by the past political leaders during the last 68 years or so.

If Shri Nongthombam Biren Singh continue to translate his vision into action, thousands of young people of Manipur will come forward to die for him and for his cause. His love for his motherland called Manipur, his love for all ethnic groups in Manipur, his honesty, sincerity, enthusiasm is expressed in the series of actions taken up by him during the short span of two months. This reminds me of the statement of late Rajiv Gandhi, Prime Minister of India while addressing the US Conngress in 1985.

He said "India is an old country, but a young nation, we are impatient. I am impatient. I can not wait for the country to develop. I too have a dream of an India— strong, independent, self-reliant". Like Rajiv Gandhi, I saw an element of impatience in Shri Biren Singh. The people of Manipur have full faith in Shri Biren Singh and his dynamic, honest,sincere and committed ministers and MLAs. A great change is happening for the better now in the governance of Manipur.

This is happening and this is possible under the dynamic leaderhip of Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India and Shri Nongthombam Biren Singh,Chief Mnister of Manipur. Let us think big and let us work for long-term permanent solutions which can correct the constitutional faultiness, which encourages different ethnic groups to fight with each other in the name of protecting their rights, identity, land, language, culture ,tradition etc and in the name of democracy and secularism.

I personally appeal to the Nagas to think like Meiteis and all Meiteis to think like Nagas. We should have wide ranging discussions and consultations at the CSO level and political level to remove the misunderstanding between Meteis, Nagas and Kukis. All relevant provisions of Indian Constitution should be re-examined discussed and all provisions, which encourage in-fighting among ourselves should be removed and we should urge the BJP government at the Centre to amend the Indian Constitution to bring equality, mutual trust, mutual respect. love, unity, peace and development in Manipur.

At the same time, we should value the roles and contributions of very senior Congress leaders in the opposition. The contribution of Shri O.Ibobi Singh as a Chief Minister towards development of the State is also great.

The Construction of a new building of the Manipur Legislative Assembly, High Court complex, establishment of Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS). establishment of Dhanamanjuri University, establishment of 100 bedded hospital at Thoubal, Churachandpur and Bishnupur, establishment of 50 bedded hospitals at Ukhrul, Tamenglong, Chandel, Senapati and Jiribam, construction of IT park, establishment of Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) at Senapati, improvement of power situations in the State, upgradation of Imphal Airport to International Airport, establishment of Cultural University of Manipur , improvement of Law & Order, withdrawal of AFSPA from the seven Assembly segments. inauguration of separate High Court of Manipur in March ,2013, construction of flyover between BT road and Uripok, construction of Sanjenthong bridge, construction of longest bridge at Serou, cleaning of Lokak lake are no mean achievement of Shri O.Ibobi Singh.

In fact, Shri O. Ibobi Singh was the best performing Chief Miniter of Manipur. We can not undermine his contribution. His only weakness was his failure to take advantage of his absolute majority, absence of opposition and his too much love for his family members and relatives, which was partly reponsonsible for his downfall.

On the other hand, we have never seen such a Chief Minister like Shri Nongthombam Biren Singh, who work so closely with the Prime Minister of the country enjoying his full trust and confidence. He is working with the motto of Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Miister " Sabka Sath Sab ka Vikash". This opportunity may not come again in the next 50 years. We should therefore initiate actions which can bring not only the equality, mutual love, emotional integration, equality, unity, solidarity, communal harmony, peace among all ethnic groups in Manipur but also for achieving greater autonomy of Manipur through comprehensive constitutional amendments to fulfil the aspirations of all ethnic groups in Manipur.

There is a rumour circulating among the people that " the Chief Minister is likely to re-shuffle the present ministry after the Presidential Election on 25 May, 2017". Shri N.Biren Singh may be under tremendous pressure from some quarters to do the re-shuffle in their own interest and not in public interest.

In my opinion, the reshuffle if required may be done after the decision of the Hon'be Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly on questions as to disqualification of defectors from the Indian National Congress (INC) on the ground of defection under the 91st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003. It is almost certain that all the INC defectors will be disqualified and this triggers by-elections to fill the vacancy. We are not sure whether these defectors turned BJP members will return as MLAs or not.

It is therefore not advisable to undertake the trouble of re-shuffling the ministry at this juncture. The present BJP-led government is just like a new born baby. The infant mortality rate is very high. A new born baby can not see anything at the age of two months. The baby will start seeing after completion of four months . The baby can digest something only at the age of sixth month (Chaoomba). It will be better to wait and watch till by-election. After by-election, the re-shuffle can be done and stability can be ensured.

How did Shri Nongthombam Biren Singh became the 12th Chief Minister of Manipur.

Th electoral defeats of senior leaders like Shri Th.Chaoba Singh, Shri O.Joy Singh, Shri Th.Debendra Singh, Dr.Nimaichand Luwang, Shri M. Okendro Singh, Shri I. Hemochandra Singh became a blessing in disguise to Shri Nongthombam Biren Singh .Consequently. Shri N. Biren Singh became the seniormost legislator among the elected candidates. Further, the roles of National People's Party(NPP), Naga People's Front (NPF), Lok Jan Shakti Party (LJS) and support from Shri Th. Shyamkumar, Congress MLA and the only independent MLA from Jiribam, Ashab Uddin at the time of forming the Government became very crucial.

On 15 March, 2017, Shri Nongthombam Biren Singh (Bhartiya Janata Party/BJP) was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Manipur by Her Excellency, Governor Najma Heptulla in Imphal along with eight other Ministers. The other eight Ministers are (1) Shri Yumnan Joykumar (NPP) as Deputy Chief Minister, (2) Shri Thongam Biswajit Singh (BJP) (3) Shri L. Jayantakumar Singh (NPP), (4) Shri N. Kayisii (NPP) (5) Shri Letpao Haokip (NPP), (6) Shri Losi Dikho (NPF) (7)Karam Shyam (LJS). (8) Thounaojam Shyamkumar (Indian National Congress/ INC).

On 23 March, 2017, three more Cabinet Ministers namely V Hangkhalian, Nemcha Kipgen and Th Radhesyam were sworn in as Cabinet Ministers by the Governor Najma Heptullah at Raj Bhavan. Another twelve parliamentary secretaries were also sworn in by the Chief Minister at his secretariat this evening and the portfolios of the Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries were announced.

The Parliamentary Secretaries are (1) Dr Sapam Ranjan Singh. (2) Soibam Subhaschandra Singh (3) Lourembam Rameshwor Meetei (4) Nahakpam Indrajit Singh (5) Kongkham Robindro Singh (6) Thokchom Satyabrata Singh (7) Heikam Dingo Singh (8) Ashab Uddin (9) Khashim Vashum (10) :K Leishiyo (11) Awangbow Newmai (12) Leisangthem Susindro Meitei.

The Biren Singh's Government is a coalition government led by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with National People's Party(NPP), Naga People's Front (NPF), Lok Jan Shakti Party (LJS), All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) and one independent as constituent parties. Immediately after declaration of election result, NPF said that the party will not join the Indian National Congress in forming Government although the Congress was the single largest party.

This gives a political compulsion to the BJP to form the government with all the Non-Congress parties including NPF.The constituent parties did not form any alliance before the election The BJP led Government has not yet announced an agreed Common Mimum Programme to ensure sustenability, smooth functioning , effectiveness and efficiency of the Government.

11th Manipur State Assembly Election-2017

The election of the 11th Manipur State Assembly was held in two phases on 4th March and 8th March, 2017. A total 266 candidates contested for the 60 seats of Manipur Legislative Assembly.. . The result of the election was announced on 11th March ,2017 with 86% turn out rate, which was the highest in India.

The party-wise position of elected candidates was as follows;- Indian National Congress (INC)- 28 , Bhartiya Janata Party(BJP)- 21, National People's Party(NPP) – 4, Naga People's Front (NPF)- 4 , Lok Jan Shakti Party (LJP) -1 All India Trinamool Congress (AITC)- 1 , Independent -1. The mandate is forming a coalition government without the support of Manipur Congress.

To be continued....