If BJP wants to survive
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Free Thinker
The Union Home minister had taken the stock of the present situation of Manipur from the Governor & his team which includes CS, DGP and Security Advisor. Those who were in the meeting - are not opening their mouths -perhaps gagged. The presentation was prepared under the aegis of Bhalla ji. The emphasis was on the improving law & order situation, ongoing restoration and rehabilitation of the displaced people and some developmental & security issues.
The restoration of a popular or unpopular government was not discussed. There might be some references here and there while talking about the overall scenario. Of course, the resurrection of the State government is a decision to be taken by the Political leadership after assessing the whole situation. However, it is a fact that things are much better now.
The NDA MLAs want the re-establishment of their government. Only a few MLAs are of the opinion that the PR may be further extended before going to the elections. The Congress MLAs linger for the second option. Those who had contested the last State Assembly Election but lost are extremely eager to have an early election.
Common people are not too sensitive about who is the government or who is ruling? Their only concerns are their own safety, security, job, employment etc. They want a good health care system, good education for children, employment, good roads, reasonably priced goods particularly the consumable items. Above all they long for peace and normalcy in the State with communal amity. This is what they want-nothing more. If the PR is in a better position to deliver these things – then, Raj Bhawan Zindabad.
Is there a leader who has sacrificed everything for the people - and living a saint’s life. Can you see any neta-Irabot in any of our existing netas? Honestly, we are surrounded by self-serving politicians who have no vision; their myopic vision only deals with day-to-day business. They only believe in adhocism. Is there any leader who commands the respect of the entire people ? Is there any leader whose dream and commitment are maintaining ethnic harmony in the State? We have become too ethnic centric and consequently communal and that is devastating,
We were doing slightly better before Covid pandemic- our economy was moving forward. Our overall economic activities were in good progress- better than many of the Indian States and certainly better than our neighboring States. But unfortunately, the pandemic followed by the ethnic clashes made the State economy worse- today we are one of the underperforming States in the country. It is a reality that our businesses have been shifted towards Guwahati, Silchar, Kolkata. Our tourism economy is in doldrums. Only the health care sector is surviving. The Moreh economy has lost its vibrancy.
Political observers are saying that people have more faith in their local leadership. These days it seems people are more inclined towards regional or local heroes. Consequently, they may support a Local Party or Regional Party. The possibility of the revival of regional and local parties is very high. Observers also maintain that the people's opinions keep changing according to the compelling circumstances. In the last MP election Congress could win both the seats. That was primarily due to the failure of the double engine.
If the State election is held today, MPP may do well and become stronger in the valley. NPF may perform well in the hills. The NPP may now have a state version – that may weaken the Sangma’s Party. Congress may improve its tally. CPI may make a few surprises here and there. JDU, Trinamul, LJP, Shiv Sena, RSP, NCP etc., may still prove their presence. But BJP’s performance will be dismal if not given a chance to revive and rule for some time.
If BJP wants to survive, rather do well in the next State election which is likely to be held in 2027, relaunching of its government is the need of the hour; and they should deliver very fast. Populist measures and freebies should shower on the people who remain gloomy and wretched in the past few years. Instant rehabilitation (with happy components) of the displaced people must be given top priority. Regularization of 5000 odd part-time/contract/ad hoc teachers/police/VDF must be done on a fast track. In addition, allowing free flow of goods from Burma, making peace with all the rebels and insurgent groups, permitting poppy harvest for the time being, restoring drug-route from Mizoram to Manipur, direct transfer of subsistence allowance to all married women including divorcees and live-ins (minimum 2000 per month), no property tax till Vikshit Manipur, intensifying free movement of people throughout and ensuring freedom of liquor business without excise duty, are some of the basic things to be expedited at the earliest.
For a more lasting peace each rebel/insurgent/militia group leader should be made a Minister or a Chairman of lucrative bodies. Fund should not be a problem, Amit Bhai.
Revive for survival on or before Makar Sankranti, otherwise there is no way except scrapping Rajiv Gandhi’s Tenth Schedule of the Constitution which is highly undemocratic and fetters individual liberty.
The Union Home minister had taken the stock of the present situation of Manipur from the Governor & his team which includes CS, DGP and Security Advisor. Those who were in the meeting - are not opening their mouths -perhaps gagged. The presentation was prepared under the aegis of Bhalla ji. The emphasis was on the improving law & order situation, ongoing restoration and rehabilitation of the displaced people and some developmental & security issues.
The restoration of a popular or unpopular government was not discussed. There might be some references here and there while talking about the overall scenario. Of course, the resurrection of the State government is a decision to be taken by the Political leadership after assessing the whole situation. However, it is a fact that things are much better now.
The NDA MLAs want the re-establishment of their government. Only a few MLAs are of the opinion that the PR may be further extended before going to the elections. The Congress MLAs linger for the second option. Those who had contested the last State Assembly Election but lost are extremely eager to have an early election.
Common people are not too sensitive about who is the government or who is ruling? Their only concerns are their own safety, security, job, employment etc. They want a good health care system, good education for children, employment, good roads, reasonably priced goods particularly the consumable items. Above all they long for peace and normalcy in the State with communal amity. This is what they want-nothing more. If the PR is in a better position to deliver these things – then, Raj Bhawan Zindabad.
Is there a leader who has sacrificed everything for the people - and living a saint’s life. Can you see any neta-Irabot in any of our existing netas? Honestly, we are surrounded by self-serving politicians who have no vision; their myopic vision only deals with day-to-day business. They only believe in adhocism. Is there any leader who commands the respect of the entire people ? Is there any leader whose dream and commitment are maintaining ethnic harmony in the State? We have become too ethnic centric and consequently communal and that is devastating,
We were doing slightly better before Covid pandemic- our economy was moving forward. Our overall economic activities were in good progress- better than many of the Indian States and certainly better than our neighboring States. But unfortunately, the pandemic followed by the ethnic clashes made the State economy worse- today we are one of the underperforming States in the country. It is a reality that our businesses have been shifted towards Guwahati, Silchar, Kolkata. Our tourism economy is in doldrums. Only the health care sector is surviving. The Moreh economy has lost its vibrancy.
Political observers are saying that people have more faith in their local leadership. These days it seems people are more inclined towards regional or local heroes. Consequently, they may support a Local Party or Regional Party. The possibility of the revival of regional and local parties is very high. Observers also maintain that the people's opinions keep changing according to the compelling circumstances. In the last MP election Congress could win both the seats. That was primarily due to the failure of the double engine.
If the State election is held today, MPP may do well and become stronger in the valley. NPF may perform well in the hills. The NPP may now have a state version – that may weaken the Sangma’s Party. Congress may improve its tally. CPI may make a few surprises here and there. JDU, Trinamul, LJP, Shiv Sena, RSP, NCP etc., may still prove their presence. But BJP’s performance will be dismal if not given a chance to revive and rule for some time.
If BJP wants to survive, rather do well in the next State election which is likely to be held in 2027, relaunching of its government is the need of the hour; and they should deliver very fast. Populist measures and freebies should shower on the people who remain gloomy and wretched in the past few years. Instant rehabilitation (with happy components) of the displaced people must be given top priority. Regularization of 5000 odd part-time/contract/ad hoc teachers/police/VDF must be done on a fast track. In addition, allowing free flow of goods from Burma, making peace with all the rebels and insurgent groups, permitting poppy harvest for the time being, restoring drug-route from Mizoram to Manipur, direct transfer of subsistence allowance to all married women including divorcees and live-ins (minimum 2000 per month), no property tax till Vikshit Manipur, intensifying free movement of people throughout and ensuring freedom of liquor business without excise duty, are some of the basic things to be expedited at the earliest.
For a more lasting peace each rebel/insurgent/militia group leader should be made a Minister or a Chairman of lucrative bodies. Fund should not be a problem, Amit Bhai.
Revive for survival on or before Makar Sankranti, otherwise there is no way except scrapping Rajiv Gandhi’s Tenth Schedule of the Constitution which is highly undemocratic and fetters individual liberty.