One Small Voice

Bobby Irengbam *

Election result scene across Imphal on eve of election result day on March 06 2012 :: Pix - Victo Singh

Well now, it has been finally declared. The Indian National Congress party has silenced its staunchest critics with a thumping victory straight into their faces declaring for one and all to know once and for all that they have the people's mandate. They have emerged almost unscathed despite the proverbial spanner being thrown into the works or the numerous hurdles and dampeners put into its path along the obstacle course during its run-up to the elections of the 10th Constituent Assembly of the state.

Along the way, we have witnessed a few political heavyweights being knocked out without much ado, most notable being L. Jayantakumar of Keishamthong A/c, Md. Alauddin of Keirao A/c, O. Joy of Langthabal A/c, Radhabinod Koijam of Thangmeiband A/c, Ph. Parijat of Lamlai A/c, D.D. Thaisii of Karong A/c, N. Mangi of Kumbi A/c, Bijoy Koijam of Thongju A/c, Loken of Sagolband A/c, et al.

We have also witnessed the induction of a few fresh faces with the likes of R.K. Imo from Sagolband A/c, Kh. Joykishan from Thangmeiband A/c, Th. Biswajit from Thongju A/c, K. Shyam from Langthabal A/c, S. Biren from Kumbi A/c, E. Chand from Yaiskul A/c, Mrs. Nemcha Kipgen from Kangpokpi A/c, amongst others, and K. Thamarjit from Keirao A/c, who, it is worth mentioning, finally managed to wrest victory this time around after being defeated in the last Assembly Elections by a mere controversial margin of 2 votes.

A few old warhorses have also joined the bandwagon this time, notably, L. Ibomcha from Keishamthong A/c and M. Kunjo from Hiyanglam A/c while prominent leaders of the INC being Chief Minister O. Ibobi from Thoubal A/c, K. Ranjit from Sugnu A/c, N. Biren from Heingang A/c, Gaikhangam from Nungba A/c, Phungjathang Tonsing from Churachandpur A/c, Y. Erabot from Wangkhei A/c, I. Hemochandra from Singjamei A/c, amongst others, managing to retain their seats as expected (albeit a few anxieties here and there).

Some of the previous MLAs have also managed to emerge triumphant in a brand new ensemble from their respective A/cs including Dr. Ng. Bijoy from Khurai A/c (previously of MPP and now of INC), R.K. Anand of Naoriya Pakhanglakpa A/c (previously of MPP and now of INC), Th. Shyamkumar (then of MPP and now of Trinamool Congress), etc.

It is pertinent to mention that the CM O. Ibobi had the audacity of declaring over the media that the INC would field only guaranteed candidates and the shrewdness of recommending most of these candidates who were most ready and willing to switch their allegiance at the drop of a hat even at the cost of a few disgruntled hard-core and dedicated party workers.

The other notable parties making their mark beside the INC are the Trinamool Congress with 7 seats, MSCP with 5 seats and the Naga People's Front (NPF) opening their debut account with a respectable 4 seats while the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) debuting with a single seat in Langthabal A/c by toppling the inimitable political bigwig O. Joy.

Interestingly, the MPP and the CPI both failed to squeeze a single seat which is indeed a telling tale of the loss of faith of the people in these parties. Maybe the much-disliked publicity gimmick of imitating the Kangla Gate Ceasefire episode with male counterparts (read private parts) by the regional party during the Sonia-Manmohan state visit as well as the awesome lot of hot air blown by the Left Front without any visible signs of concrete functioning has something to do with the apparent disillusionment and intolerance of the people towards these parties.

However, it is with some amount of relief to know that with the massive majority of the INC in the present Constituent Assembly, the rather irritating exercise that normally entails after a pot-pourri verdict of numerous political parties engaging in the unwholesome practice of horse-trading to enable the formation of a coalition government and the consequent bargaining for prime portfolios amongst themselves have been unequivocally ruled out.

The only episode left to play itself out is the inevitable power-play of sorts between the different camps of the INC in the formation of the government or the efficacy of either the Faleiro-Biswas duo or the central leaders of the CLP in silencing any dissident voices within the party front for paving the way to the formation of an acceptable government in accordance with its standards.

All in all, will these new political equations and the virtually fresh dynamics allow the common man to indulge in hoping for some winds of change in the near future?

It's not 'elementary, my dear Watson, elementary' but rather 'hardly, my dear Watson, hardly' as the only change we can safely rely upon is the same old bitter pill, rather a placebo (for, make no mistakes, we, the common people, are ready and willing to wince and grunt and literally endure the wallowing pain of swallowing the bitter pill if it will provide the solace of a cure), in a new bottle.

For politicians are all ...s (the b-word) who can assume many avatars and comes in all kind of cloaks and guises.

There, all said and done, and definitely made my day. "Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies." ... Groucho Marx