Pre-poll rivals, post-poll bed-mates
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: December 21, 2021 -

THOUGH it's loathsome to hear leaders and intending candidates of coalition partners BJP, NPP and NPF indulging in fierce foul-mouthing in the run-up to the state assembly elections, it could be safely predicted that in case of a hung mandate all three wouldn't hesitate to become bedfellows yet again to remain in power.

It is also obvious that arithmetic, alliances, campaign blitz of leaders, issues of identity and political polemics will make the headlines till the votes have been cast but not many will care to ask the political parties what they have in mind to steer the state towards progress.

In the state's context of electoral politics, it has beer: a tradition for the politicians to besmirch potentiai rivals or parties for they see the voters as merely gullible and cheapest weapons to dilute whatever advantage the opponents seem to be gaining.

That the political class wouldn't reient from sullying one another has been glaringly demonstrated when BJP Manipur Pradesh former president and former Union minister of state Thounaojam Chaoba remarked that the BJP gave the post of deputy chief minister to NPP's Yumnam Joykumar but it is works minister Th Biswajit, who is the second in-command of the coalition government.

Chaoba's contention might be intended to cheer up potential BJP voters ahead of the crucial polls but such a disparaging remark against Joykumar, who is also the NPP national vice president, could be construed as manifestation of Manipur's politicians focusing on character assassination rather than spelling out policies that could make the commoners believe that better days are ahead.

Regardless of the scathing attack, Chaoba, however, conceded that BJP will have no qualm in partnering with NPP to form the next government, thereby testifying that in case of split verdict even the sworn enemies could be taken on board.

The NPP too seems to be keen to explore possibility of leading the government if the people of Manipur abstain from giving a clear mandate when Joykumar stated during inauguration of a party's office for Wabagai assembly constituency, that it is open to working with either the BjP or the Congress after assessing outcome of the assembly elections.

Interestingly, Joykumar crediting Congress party's triumph in 43 seats in the 2012 polls to resolving law and order issues, ushering in peace, preventing the entry of NSCN (IM) leader Th Muivah into the state to name a few suggests that the NPP may tie up with any party in accordance to the situation.

Though varied unsolved issues continue to dog the state, it is everyone's belief that the upcoming democratic exercise will be a critical one not only for the commoners but for political organisations which are working to cement foothold as a pan-India entity and those struggling to redeem and revive their fortunes.

No doubt, this election will be an important one as it will determine who will govern the state, exercise executive power, have an impact on the lives of all citizens, etc.

While it seems too early to comment on outcome of the public mandate, it is crystal clear that the first few big task for the next government will be guiding the state towards economic transformation, creating real-time jobs to make the burgeoning population of youth feel secure about their future, improving the social safety net through welfare measures for the poorest citizens, etc.

Moreover, the general population would be hoping that leaders of all parties in the fray will avoid hate speeches and instead make the electors acquainted about road map for better days to come.