Politicians Without Ethics In Manipur

Manibabu Likmabam *

When Manipur got merged with Indian Union in 1949, Manipuris would have undoubtedly though that Manipur would develop in all respect at par with other states of the country. Again when Manipur was upgraded to the status of a full fledged sate in 1972, euphoric emotion of Manipuris ran high, and none would have thought that this very euphoria of social, economic development would diminish and with the passage of time got so much contaminated that it would poison the whole of the state's democratic set up. Those persons who took responsibility of governing the state would become fountain head of poisonous administration.

Now Manipur needs to make an environment to groom better and younger leaders vis-a-vis politicians. The present day self professed so called leaders and politicians, governing the state, who are obsessed with the monomania to loot the state and fill their own coffers, would be seen fighting for the bone like the snarling stray dogs on the street. Their only motto is to grab the power by hook or by crook and that power leads to conspiracy, murder, forging a network of like minded politicians, bureaucrats, police officers and mafia. They misused that power only for accumulation of wealth, unaccounted black money, purchasing flats outside the state, even keeping bank accounts in foreign countries.

Politics seem to become such a lucrative profession, wherein prior investment of money and muscle power to grab the chairs once. Hence, in Manipur so many people who have got huge amount of money illegally and can throw that ill-gotten money lavishly, irrespective of their characters, morality , education and personality try to become political leaders. Such persons who can earn illegal money through 'Akash Bills' selling out rice meant for poor people in back door, siphoning of money meant for development,are willing to throw any amount of money for the election only to grab the power. If such persons become legislatures what would be Manipuri's fate?.

Take a look at the present day elected politicians of Manipur_ How many of them are doing their duties perfectly? Make a comparison with the promise they made before election and the development works they did after they got elected. None of them could touch the thin red line of their promise. Contrary, these political leaders did not hesitate to accumulate properties, wealth with no limits. If you do a little investigation you will find the unholy and unaccounted properties in their names and in the name of dears and closed ones.

These leaders would hardly do to extend help to the educated youth for self employment. Government's jobs seem to be reserved only for those people who can pay hefty amount, not less then fifteen lakhs. This is perhaps the factor for the educated unemployed to be tempted towards insurgency. One lady cabinet Minister of Manipur recently said in a function that unless you go for lobbying there would be no corruption in the ate. But the question is unless you go for lobbying, do you think that you could get Govt. Jobs?

All the Government's system seem to be planned for failure. Recently introduced and implemented National Food Security Act, through which rice would be made available in cheaper rate to the poor people is becoming fiasco. It is very shameful. People have come out with playcards on the street deadly against the mismanagement of the NFSA. Charges and counter charges in implementing NFSA are being published everyday in local newspaper – ILP issue which could have been solved much earlier has been prolonging due to the inconsistency and indecisiveness of the political leaders.

Consequently, numbers of bandhs, blockades, public curfew, sit-in-protests, hatred each other, filthy and foul languages uploaded in social media creating wider gap between valley and hill people. Ultimately sufferers are poor common people. Decades old problem on National Highways 39 and 53 could not be solved by the present sets of elected legislatures.

In rural areas Government schools, primary health sub – centre have turned into cow – sheds. Roads connecting village to villages are still not motor-able and with full of pot holes and muddy. Where has gone the law enforcing people? Hand grenade throwing in someone's residence has become daily news item in the local papers. Burning of tyre in the middle of roads, blocking of roads breaking of vehicles become daily routine affairs. Security people remains mute spectators. So Manipur become failure state, no sign of good governance.

A leader in office has the authority to direct the course of the state's socio-economical development. He enjoys the powers to make policies for the development activities. His decision have far reaching effect in the development process of the state. But if he himself becomes corrupt, spells unethical and immoral acts, it can wreck havoc in the state.

A number of five year plans have been completed,yet the development in the state is not upto the mark. Today, the state cannot progress so rapidly as the present sets of political leaders are obsessed with self interest rather than making the state progress. Political leaders of the state seem to forget their moral and ethical duties towards the development of the state. They completely deviate from what they pledge in the presence of the Governor and media persons when they were taken oath for becoming public leaders ( Ministers, MLA'S). So people have lost faith on these political leaders.

Pertinent question is that - Could the political leaders be blamed alone? No - it is public that is responsible to great extend in making the politicians corrupt, unethical and goons. If the general public use their voting right for choosing very good and honest persons as legislatures, good administration and governance would prevail in the state. Unfortunately this is not the case in Manipur. Only those persons who can throw big money and can flex muscles, can become elected leaders. If this system of selling and buying votes continue future of Manipur will still remain dark. Time to think for a change.

The next general election is supposedly to be held in Manipur in the month of February 2017, result of which will determine the future of Manipur. Time is ticking out. Citizens of Manipur can have a choice - whether the present sets of political leaders who have been governing this state for the last nearly fifteen years would be given another chance or not. Needless to say about their performance. If the citizens do not favour the old guards, new guards can replace the old ones.May be from a different political party.

No matter Congress (I) is the oldest and one of the best political parties in the country. But the agony is that corrupt and scandalous politicians are taking refuge in this party. Now the party in the state need to groom up young and talented educated people as the party's candidate. They can be given chances to contest election in the next round of election. Why should old wine be poured into the new bottle? Time to introspect and retrospect.New president of the Congress (I), would have thought in this line

On the other hand the new president of BJP, Manipur Pradesh with his clean and good academic credentials would leave no stone unturned to find out firebrand candidates for the next election. This is the age of computer and talented youngsters. No old guards would be welcomed. Old legislatures who were elected twice or thrice and in the habit of taking heavy bribe and who are very corrupt should not be brought in BJP fold from other political parties.

People's of Manipur are fed up with these present sets of political leaders who have been governing this state with all misdeeds and full of corruption. New president of BJP may please think for the young and talented dynamic candidates for the next election. Mahamantra of NDA and it's Prime Minister is corruption free administration, transparency, accountability and development. Why not new president of BJP, Manipur, would try to learn this MahaMantra.

Manipur need politicians with ethical conviction for bright and better Manipur in the years to come.