Factoring in on the Kuki-Zo MLAs Return of a popular Govt

It is no longer a question of ‘when’ Delhi would agree to a popular Government to return, but of whether any of the ten Kuki-Zo MLAs would be part of the next Ministry. The Sangai Express did not pluck the ‘Kuki-Zo MLAs decide to join formation of popular Ministry’ story out of thin air, but interesting to note that two Kuki-Zo MLAs have refuted the news story and so too have the UPF and KNO, the two signatories to the SoO pact. Only time will tell whether any of the Kuki-Zo MLAs join the Ministry bandwagon when a popular Government returns, but it is significant to note that the return or otherwise of the Kuki-Zo MLAs to the Government could just turn out to be a big factor on the question of when a popular Government would be re-installed. A line of thought over which not much thought was given to, but can a popular Government return without the active participation of the Kuki-Zo MLAs ? Not clear whether the State MLAs have given any serious thought to this line of thinking, but likely that Delhi would have gone over it many times. As stated, The Sangai Express did not pluck the story on the return of Kuki-Zo MLAs in a popular Ministry out of thin air and it was more or less expected that the news story would be refuted. Only time will tell, but it is important to question whether any of the BJP MLAs and BJP members and workers had ever given a thought on how the Kuki-Zo MLAs would respond to the call of a popular Government. It is more than likely that the return of a popular Government can well be stalled on the question of whether any of the Kuki-Zo MLAs would be included in the Council of Ministers or not. Some thoughts ought to be given on this too, if the State BJP leadership is keen on the return of a popular Government. To the public, the Tomba, Hongba and Chaoba on the roads of Imphal and to any any Kuki-Chin-Zo civilian in Kangpokpi, Chura- chandpur and Motbung, the question of whether the return of a popular Government would help take Manipur closer to the understanding of normalcy may not receive a clear cut answer, but no one would have forgotten the days between May 3, 2023 and February 12, 2025. There is also a reason why The Sangai Express was not surprised by the immediate reaction from the KNO and UPF and two MLAs from the Kuki-Zo community for at the moment, their stand is against the idea of Manipur. Remember it was the ten Kuki-Zo MLAs who publicly first raised the call for a Separate Administration, though the hands instrumental in raising this call was crystal clear. The very fact that the KNO and UPF lost no time in refuting the report of The Sangai Express should be more than clear on who is calling the shot and who is behind the call for a Separate Administration. And this call falls perfectly in line with the slogan raised by CoTU since the evening of May 3, 2023, ‘Solution first, peace later’.
Delhi will have to weigh in all the factors before the green signal for the return of a popular Government is given and surely the Kuki-Zo MLAs factor cannot be brushed aside. This line should be understood in the backdrop of the fact that the SoO pact was extended despite the stringent call for its abrogation earlier. And even today, no visible line of action has been taken up to clear the National Highways and ensure free movement of everyone. These points should be factored in while raising the call for the return of a popular Government. One hopes the elected BJP MLAs have given it due thoughts, or else raising the pitch for the return of a popular Government may just not cut ice with Delhi. The final word lies with Delhi, this is a given. A fact that cannot be wished away and the recent Delhi sojourn by some BJP MLAs of Manipur should be seen against this backdrop. Too early to say how things will unfold in the coming days, but it is more than clear that the place of the Kuki-Zo MLAs if and when a popular Government is restored will feature high. This much should be clear to all, especially to those who have been clamouring for the return of a popular Government.