Rocking the CM's chair or lusting for power ?
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: April 18, 2023 -

COMPARED to the first term of the N Biren-led government, which was dominated by intense lobbying for ministerial berths among the alliance partners in the formative years followed by dissent within the BJP legislators near the halfway mark as expectation of the minister aspirants for cabinet reshuffle did not materialise, the present scenario of resignations tendered by the chief minister's advisor Th Radheshyam and Manipur Tourism Corporation chairman Karam Shyam from their respective assignments is unlikely to draw much attention of the saffron party's central leaders.

Notably, as the two MLAs had held ministerial portfolios in the previous term their decision has the potential to be construed as mere expression of dissent over non-devolution of power, which all the MLAs aspire for.

It is known to all that in Manipur dissent within the government crops up when the non-minister MLAs feel that power remains the only driving force for undertaking developmental works and translating into action promises made to their electors.

As electoral battle is considered as already half-won even before votes are cast if the contestants execute developmental projects, succeed in keeping the ardent political workers in jovial mood and have money and muscle power, every outcry from among the ruling party MLAs is generally deduced as lust for power.

Nevertheless, neither Radheshyam nor Shyam would be naive that they are very much part of the success story and achievement of the present government. In case the CM's personal profile has been enhanced, then the public won't doubt Radheshyam's role as the advisor.

Similarly, the tourist footfall, grand success of the Manipur Sangai Festival and smooth conduct of other tourism-related events in different parts of the state happened with Karam Shyam heading the tourism department.

Ironically, it is only due to the duo's resignation letters and subsequent comments posted on the social media platform that the people got an insight about their grudge against the government.

However, with incumbent chief minister Biren seen by many as a shrewd politician and the commoners seemingly impressed with his administrative acumen, open rebellion against his leadership seems out of the context at the juncture.

Whoever leads the revolt against him shall have to prove his/ her personal profile as either better than the chief minister or capable of winning the trust of majority of the party's MLAs.

For instance, despite winning the 2022 assembly election by an overwhelming margin, formation of the government got delayed for nearly a month as there was a three-way race to the CM's post, only for the central leaders to retain N Biren after consulting with the MLAs and party's rank and file.

In fact, the other two contenders were found lagging far behind in terms of number of support by the legislators, thereby making it crystal clear that N Biren had the numbers on his side.

While it is understandable that substantial numbers of BJP legislators are also waiting for their turn to be accommodated in the council of ministers, realisation of their ambition will depend on whether the central leaders take risk of possible political instability in Manipur especially in view of the Lok Sabha elections due next year.