We had actually talked about who really won Manipur in the last parliamentary elections. The general public had rejected the BJP for its lackadaisical attitude towards containing the ethnic violence which went out of control for varied reasons, that much is crystal clear. But we rarely discuss why the Congress won the elections even with a dismal record in leaving problems to fester in the long run. There was even a gap between the responses and attitudes of the local leaders and the central leadership with regard to the crisis and its causes.
Many in the Congress central leadership were seen flagging issues and incidents which were sometimes one-sided and dangerous in a situation where two communities are at loggerheads. Many Congress leaders also joined in the chorus of anti-Meitei campaign. At the national and international scene, the so-called liberal media driven by their anti-BJP stance practically demonised the Meiteis. As early as May second week after violence broke out, AICC incharge Bhakta Charan Das demanded President’s Rule to quell the unrest in the state.
Das alleged that Meitei militia groups are behind the arson of churches and looting of weapons from police camps. He said that some militia groups, which had the blessings of Chief Minister N Biren Singh destroyed churches belonging to the Meiteis too. Of course, the state Congress Legislature party leader and former Chief Minister in a later press conference did say that the Congress party always stands for the unity and integrity of Manipur and will not compromise when Manipur's integrity is threatened. The public was indeed caught between the devil and the deep sea in the run-up to the parliamentary elections. While the people in the valley were disaffected by the lackadaisical attitude of BJP leaders, they were equally dismayed by the partisan attitude of central Congress leaders.
In spite of all these, the Congress candidates managed to win the elections. Rahul Gandhi did come twice in the run-up to the elections and the BJP government here played spoilsport by placing hurdles on the way which went in favour of Congress. But in the valley, the real deal was the candidate Angomcha Bimol Akoijam. He was an outspoken intellectual and unafraid to take on New Delhi and its crowd, but a stranger to the murky deals of politics. The choice was a masterstroke of CLP leader Okram Ibobi Singh and it paid off. But it was the sheer drive and conviction of Prof Bimol which led Congress to victory. On the other hand, Alfred Arthur’s victory in the Outer Manipur constituency comprising both Naga and non-Naga areas was a combination of several factors.
The Kuki-Zos felt betrayed by BJP central leaders going back on its promises in the run-up to earlier elections in the state. The Kuki leaders were optimistic of a resolution to its political aspirations which later turned into a demand for Separate Administration with a Kuki homeland in the radar. As powerful elements among the Nagas became closer to the establishment in Imphal, the Kuki-Zos felt it safer to vote for the Congress candidate. Tragedy is, the Congress high command had also failed in analysing the varied factors which led to their win in the parliamentary elections.
Still, there is no change in the response and statements of its national leaders with regard to the Manipur conflict. The public distaste against the BJP leadership was more in terms of its lethargic response and double standards while dealing the conflict. On the other hand, the Congress in its all-out effort to discredit BJP resulted in antagonising the valley people. It was either a case of state Congress leaders failing to present a clear picture of the conflict or their opinion were slighted by the central leadership.
Various social media handles owing allegiance to the Congress at the national level are still continuing to take sides in the conflict. It is time for the state Congress leadership to school their central leaders on the real issues of the conflict and forsake their partisan stances, less it leads to total decimation of the Congress in the state. Already people are talking of loss of faith in all national parties. Be warned.
