It has been more than 10 months of unrest in Manipur and even with no feasible solution in sight for return to peace and normalcy, the state BJP is gearing up for the Lok Sabha elections. The other day, the ruling party called for suggestions from the general public by launching a ‘Suggestion Box’ in the party office. What more suggestions do they want other than the public outcry for the return to peace and normalcy. They cannot even convince the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to utter a word regarding the present crisis or to visit the state or to meet the state MLAs in New Delhi, and they had the audacity to seek votes in the name of Narendra Modi. He does not care a hoot whether we die or boys and girls gone missing or rendered homeless by the unrest.
So, why should the people of the state care about whether Narendra Modi comes back to power once again or BJP crosses 370 seats in Lok Sabha. The state BJP leadership is asking the voters of the state to elect BJP candidates to both Inner Manipur and Outer Manipur parliamentary seats, when the present MPs from Manipur including that of Rajya Sabha were not allowed to speak in the parliament regarding the current crisis. It is not for sitting idle there that we are sending representatives to the Indian Parliament, but to speak and participate in debates whether one is from Ruling or the Opposition.
There were murmurs of silent protests from state MPs when they were discouraged from speaking regarding the situation. Times were when we thought we are indeed lucky that the customary ruler and titular king of Manipur Leishemba Sanajaoba was picked up by BJP top brass for the lone Rajya Sabha seat. But the way he has been treated by the BJP now is indeed humiliating. Even if he is a first timer, he should have been given ample time to raise issues of the state. Sadly, he was reportedly told not to participate in debates on the current Manipur violence also.
It is not only him but the current Minister of State for External Affairs and Education RK Ranjan also. His home in Imphal had been vandalised and burnt by irate mobs twice as he was also among the politicians targeted by mobs for not doing ‘enough’ to protect the valley population during the ethnic riots. Although he represents the Inner Manipur Parliamentary constituency which covers most parts of the valley, he could do precious little as he had not been given responsibilities either by the Centre or by his party government here. In short, he is helpless.
To the utter disappointment of the people of the state, RK Ranjan had not been given an opportunity to take part in a recent parliamentary debate on Manipur unrest along with the Outer Manipur MP Lorho Pfoze. According to the Outer MP who is from BJP ally Naga Peoples Front, his request to participate in the debate was rejected while MoS Ranjan was asked ‘to keep mum’ by the leadership. On the other hand, the state BJP leadership who were numbed by the continued silence of the party high command suddenly comes alive.
While the party high command continues to maintain a stoic silence, public pressure to act increasing day by day state BJP leaders had looked so lost and helpless some time back. Out of the ten Kuki MLAs who have been demanding a separate administration, seven are from BJP while the rest three belong to its allies. In fact, the BJP MLAs are in majority and they could easily swing the vote as to whether they should make the demand or not for a separate administration which the other three would naturally follow.
Yet, there is still an allegation from a SoO group about an understanding during the 2022 state assembly elections and of a huge sum changing hands. Of course, everything was denied. On the other hand, the leadership still dithers on taking action against the 10 MLAs who continue to defy the state.
