Election and Politics in the context of Manipur

K Thangjalen Kipgen *

When we hear the word politics, we immediately think of MLAs and MPs, and the fight they engage in to demonstrate their power is referred to as election. The ordinary person must comprehend the several meanings of politics in an election to vote for a rightful or suitable candidate.

When it comes to politics, it's all about the art of governance; without an election, there can be a ruler who rules like a King (which is hereditary) but excels in the art of governance and a King who is absent from the art of governance, with no opportunity for the citizens to elect a King who excels in the field of governance.

On the other hand, an election offers everyone the right to determine who should lead the people with a vote. As a result, it is reasonable to conclude that the right to vote is an evidence of a democratic society (Democracy means sovereignty lies with the people).

In light of the impending 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly election, the people of Manipur should ask whether we live in a monarchical system where we have no right to choose the best ruler for the job, or do we live in a democratic society where we can select the best in the art of governance.

What really matters is why the people of Manipur are still in fear when they have the most potent weapon in their arsenal, namely the right to vote.

The accountability of the current ruling party, is to be tested intellectually by the people of Manipur to see if they are suitable to return to power by the following three points:
1) How they handled the responsibility of protecting the people and the relationship that developed between the hills and the valley during their tenure,
2) How they dealt with the insurgent group that terrorizes the ordinary person, and
3) How the people of Manipur have enjoyed their freedom of speech and expression in the last five years.In future the right to freedom of speech and expression enjoyed by the people of Manipur can be a challenge.

The terrible fact that Manipur people are fully aware of, but which is difficult to prove with evidence, is that there is always a dark horse supporting or opposing one specific party during the election.

In every election campaign, all parties play politics with a beautiful manifesto with hope of gaining power. It is time for the people to involve in politics by voting for a candidate or party that is skilled in the art of governance, rather than one that seeks power. And take the upcoming election as an opportunity to cut off the link between any group (that terrorizes them) and the government.

The role of every civil organisation or any association should be acknowledged. Still, voting for the correct candidate and party should be based on the individual's judgment, which should be highly regarded. Manipur is made up of several communities that share an international border with Myanmar and are home to various ethnic groups.

If the people of Manipur want a peaceful and developed State in numerous domains, in that case, any party that can promote unity amongst the people of the hills and valley deserves to be voted for by the people. Manipur was previously dubbed the Switzerland of East by Lord Irwin, the former Governor-General of India, and the Jewel of India by Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister.

As a result, the people of Manipur should consider whether the current state of Manipur is worthy of being associated with the "Switzerland of the East" and "India's Jewel."

Let everyone seize the impending election of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly as an opportunity to reclaim Manipur's title as the "Switzerland of the East" and "India's Jewel."