Can Resignation fracas help 'rebrand' Politics of Biren Singh ?

Nirendra Dev *

Do not forget; Ibobi Singh played these games earlier and so did Narendra Modi in 2002

What unfolded on the streets of Imphal on June 30 easily makes Manipur's much embarrassed Chief Minister, N Biren Singh, a neo-powerful regional leader in ethnically sensitive violence-hit state.

Now that Biren Singh has himself in a suo motto move tweeted to announce that "I will not be resigning from the post of Chief Minister"; can BJP ever replace or sack him in the immediate future?

A sea of humanity or rather 'womanity' gathered around his residence and on the streets urging him not to step down. As many as 57-days of tension and continued violence and arson claiming about 120 lives are still not enough to call for his resignation. Even the resignation letter was torn off.

Demagogues are created like this. Do a little surfing on the net and you will note that a 'Demagogue' is defined as a political leader who seeks support by appealing to the desires and prejudices of ordinary people rather than by using rational argument. Well, a gifted demagogue has a particular skill in manipulating the press; here it is the social media. V P Singh had mastered it during Mandal days.

"As Biren's convoy attempted to leave the secretariat and head towards the Raj Bhawan to submit his resignation, thousands of protesting women swiftly intercepted and stopped his progress," reports Imphal Free Press.

One enthusiastic and energetic woman admirer of Biren Singh told a national TV channel "In such a situation ...if the Manipur CM resigns, how will the people live here? Who will lead us? He has been leading us from the beginning of the conflict".

The fate is sealed. If Biren Singh has manipulated the show; as a political analyst of some years in the game, one ought to admire his maneuvering skills and the sense of timing.

For about two hours on Friday Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was dominating the social media with footage of supporters tailing him and the former MP trying to give a 'healing' touch; but within no time Biren Singh dominated the scene.

A question would be asked even in weeks and months to come whether Biren Singh's high drama was plotted with hidden blessings of a section of BJP leadership in Delhi.

One should note that Biren Sngh is not the first 'polarised' Meitei leader. Some years back O Ibobi Singh had outsmarted even the suave P Chidambaram, the then Home Minister and Thuingaleng Muivah.

The NSCN-IM general secretary wanted to visit his native village Somdal and PC (Home Minister) okayed the move on humanitarian grounds. A cool customer Ibobi during Delhi meet agreed about the plan and on return played up the Meitei people's most powerful card -- territorial integrity of Manipur and that -- if Muivah comes to his native village, that portion of land would be taken away by 'Nagas'.

All these things do not happen only in Manipur or with Meitei leaders. Our own Narendra Modi is a creation of that genre of polity.

In 2002, within weeks of communal riots Modi made himself the Hindu Hriday-samrat (King of kings among Hindus). Till then the title was reserved for Bal Thackeray in Mumbai.

And once Modi became the symbol of 'pride' of 5 crore Gujaratis; the BJP leaders dare not touch him. A good reader of people's pulse L K Advani backed his disciple 'Namo' full steam and hence the heart burn of 2013 September 13th when Modi was declared as BJP's prime ministerial face was expected.

So far so good for Biren Singh. But the final ball is not yet delivered and hence like a cricket match we won't know which way the game will turn.

Lastly, I always believe that crony journalism is a vice. But it has its prowess in this era of social media and politics ridden with conflicts. But crony journalism is not a mere cousin of 'crony capitalism' alone.

The 'Journalism' in the service of a particular ideology Leftist, anti-Americanism, anti-Modi or anti-Biren or pro-Biren are also with their respective dosages of malafide intent. It is equally dangerous.

Of all that goes on in Manipur now and all that went on in Gujarat in 2002; my moot point will be the need to enhance the readership's 'respect' for the media.

The only way to enhance the media's estimation in the eyes of the readers is by raising the quality of journalism. Be truthful and stick to the old definition of accuracy, balance and clarity.

Should we jump to the conclusion that the visit of a powerful Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had made Biren Singh nervous and forced him to resign? If someone said so, they have been proved wrong within a few hours.