Opposition Overuled

Seram Neken *

Okram Ibobi Singh swearing-in-ceremony as CM of Manipur on March 14 2012 :: Pix - Bullu Raj

After a magical win, now the run-up for the musical chair starts. "Yes to Ibobi" is the number one criteria for becoming Ministers with good portfolios. In his third innings, Shri Ibobi Singh has added power and water supply to his priority list. However, Ibobi's 'Thoubal Inclination Factor' (THIC) in development works and appointments of all hues in the last one decade needs to be revised taking into account the equality and justice required for a healthy democracy.

An MLA may well pay attention towards his/ her constituency only, but a Minister has to distribute his service to all parts of the state without any area-wise bias and communal prejudice. All Ministers including the Chief Minister should devote his activities for the state as a whole, not only for his/ her particular constituency.
–Writes Seram Neken

Democratic governance is a two-way process. 'Whatever the ruler says is right', 'whatever the ruler does is good' etc. are the outdated political notions of the past which are highly contradictory to the modern, liberal and contemporary democracy. A strong opposition, a free media, active pressure groups and an informed citizenry are pre-requisites of a healthy democracy. On this context, can we presume the existence of a good democracy in Manipur ?

No doubt, Manipur has a free press and numerous pressure groups working in different fields. Media has been playing its given role against all odds imposed by the government on one side and the various insurgent groups on the other from time to time. Many a times, the press community memorizes "Numit Kappa" legend of the land while trying to face the hardships of the two polarizations. Various pressure groups - though fractured and polarized within, are also serving as watchdogs in the society.

But, an informed citizenry is a far cry in Manipur due to lack of political consciousness among the people. And there has been no opposition worth the name during the last one decade in Manipur. This time also, Shri Okram Ibobi Singh Ministry is lucky enough to have a namesake opposition in the legislature.

It is unfortunate for the people of the state that we do not have a strong opposition to voice our grievances. Role of opposition in a democracy is great as it has to constantly monitor the government functioning, to guide in policy formulation and planning, to rectify the misdeeds of the ruling party, to provide constructive advice to the government and also to mobilize public opinion on various emergent situation. It is the duty of the opposition party to initiate debates, deliberations and discussions to maintain the decorum of parliamentary democracy. Opposition has also to feed the people's aspirations back to the government in time.

Good debaters in Manipur Legislative Assembly such as Okram Joy, Dr. Nimaichand Luwang, N. Mangi, P. Parijat etc. have failed to re-appear as none of the MPP and CPI candidates was elected during the last general elections. Radhabinod Koijam, an eloquent legislator, was also forced to retire by the electorate of Thangmeiband Assembly constituency. Moreover, Dr. Ng Bijoy and RK Anand who occupied the opposition seats in the last Assembly will now be in the treasury benches.

Although they have lots of oratory excellence and insight into situations, their loyalty to the leadership will shut their mouths on various eventualities. As witnessed in the last two regimes of Shri Okram Ibobi Singh, whoever appeared disloyal to his leadership was remunerated with misfortune. So, it was rightly termed the regime of Shri Ibobi's emperorship against which none could raise their heads.

During the past two regimes, even the opposition parties could not perform their due tasks in a democratic set-up. It was rumored in every corner that as two Okrams (Ibobi and Joy) could not stand opposites, there was no opposition at all in the last Legislative Assembly. Again this time also, opposition will be simply in name without playing its endowed duty.

It is unlikely that the present eighteen opposition MLAs (seven from Trinamool Congress, five from MSCP, four from NPF, one from NCP and one from Lok Jana Sakti) may be able to come up to expectations. Except for Dr. Irengbam Ibohalbi of Oinam Assembly constituency and L. Ibomcha of Keishamthong Assembly constituency, all other opposition MLAs are not known to be good orators and well experienced to be strong opposition stalwarts.

42 out of 60 is indeed a magic - that also in spite of boycotts, bombs, grenades and a hosts of anti-incumbency factors. The MPCC itself is amazed in this unexpected number gains. Defying all odds imposed by the NPF and NSCN (IM) in the hills and so called Core-Committee in the valley, the Congress could return to power with huge margins.

It is time for a Musical Chair contest now. Excluding the Chief Minister, eleven chairs and forty one contestants remain on the stage - 30 will be dismayed at the end, even though a few of them will be managed in public corporations. Loyalty to Shri Ibobi will surely be number one criteria for being appointed as Cabinet Minister although a few percentages will be counted on past political experience. Hence, 'YES TO IBOBI' on all eventualities will be considered the right qualification for Ministership.

An MLA has two-pronged duties - to redress the grievances of the people of the constituency and to participate in the law-making process by way of attending assembly debates and deliberations. While an MLA is meant more for his or her constituency, a Minister in the government must work for the people of the state as a whole. Inherent biasness of a Minister towards the people of his/her parent constituency is not a good sign for democracy.

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi's 'Thoubal Inclination Factor' deserves criticism from the point of justice and equality. It is time the Ministers including the Chief Minister work towards equal development of all areas and all communities irrespective of whether it is their constituency or not.

It is the people's desire that a Cabinet Minister must be a young and dynamic educated leader with communication skill so as to be able to involve in planning policies, execution of works and supervising the bureaucrats. A Minister, apart from being an MLA, must have sense of collective responsibility in governance, and must be broad minded to avoid inclination towards his/her constituency.

While assigning portfolios, the past experience or involvement of the incumbent must be taken into account. For instance, Health may be given to MLAs hailed from medical professionals, Finance may be allotted to person with Economics background and Works be provided to person with engineering experiences, if possible.

Otherwise, the newly appointed Ministers will either take a long time in learning or be sailing under the advice of the Bureaucracy. Let us hope for a better Governance in this third episode of Shri Ibobi's rule.