Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls : More crucial for BJP
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: September 01 2018 -

Only two MPs but it will be crucial for the two principal political parties, the BJP and the Congress when Manipur too takes part in the Parliamentary election scheduled in the early part of 2019.

Too early to say which way the wind is likely to blow, but to those who have been watching the political developments in the State keenly, the seriousness with which the two political parties are gearing up for the Lok Sabha polls must be obvious.

It is not for nothing why the Congress has been picking up one issue after the other to grab the attention of the people and why the BJP on the other hand has not deemed it proper to reply instead focusing on the policies and programmes it has taken up.

Both sides have their own merits.

As the Opposition, it is the duty of the Congress to take up issues which are important to the people and as the party heading the coalition Government, it is the duty of the BJP to focus its energy and attention on the works it has taken up for the people.

To be sure, Manipur can expect to see interesting days ahead, for unlike the past, when the Congress practically steamrolled its way through the Opposition, this time its role is reversed and one can expect the party to pull out its best shot to take on the BJP, which is holding the reins of power.

In the hills too, it will be interesting in the sense that apart from the said two political parties, there is the NPF, which has a strong presence amongst the Naga voters.

Allies they are, but this may end just there as it is unlikely the either the BJP or the NPF will shy away from nominating its candidate in the Outer Parliamentary Constituency.

It is the presence of the allies in the fray that the Congress will eye to take maximum advantage of.

Early days yet, but it is now more than clear that the stake will be higher for the BJP and hence Chief Minister N Biren in the Lok Sabha elections than say the MPCC (I) president or former Chief Minister O Ibobi.

The reasons are not far to seek. As the party in power at New Delhi and Imphal, much will be expected from the BJP and hence Chief Minister N Biren while for Ibobi and company it will be more or less a question of ‘nothing much to lose’.

This line of argument centres around the fact that the BJP is heading the Government both at New Delhi and Imphal.

The role of the other political parties in the BJP led coalition Government here at Imphal will also be interesting to watch.

Will all the alliance partners, barring the NPF, agree to back the candidate fielded by the BJP ?

This question is important and for someone who has seen it all, the likely scenario must be clear to the Chief Minister and O Ibobi.

The Lok Sabha polls will also go some significant way to discern whether the slogan Congress Mukt coined by the BJP is anywhere near realisation or not.

Whichever way the wind blows, it is more than clear that the stake will be high, very high for the BJP and hence Chief Minister N Biren and it will be interesting to see how things unfold.

The first real indication of things to come may be known once the candidates are announced.

Picking the right candidate is perhaps the first crucial step for any political party.