Season of turncoats
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: November 10, 2021 -

THOUGH the much-hyped slogan "Will deliver in 15 months what the Congress government could not perform in 15 years" of the BJP leaders still remains only a catchy phrase, the saffron party seems to be reaping success in numerically shrinking the Congress in the state considering the number of sitting and former MLAs leaving the latter with an eye on prolonging their political career.

Along with promising overall development in the run up the 2017 assembly elections, BJP national leaders had been unrelenting from openly remarking that wiping out the Congress party will be one of its top priorities.

In the state's context, everything seems to be working for the BJP towards achieving the goal of reducing the Congress party to a non-serious contender as the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly election approaches.

The Congress's rot unmistakably began with the defection of Andro MLA Th Shyamkumar within hours of declaration of the 2017 election results that helped the BJP to stake claim for government formation along with its allies.

While setback for the Congress continued as more of its MLAs considered it wise to sup with the ruling BJP mid-way into the latter's five-year rein, the grand old party undoubtedly was left stunned when Govindas Konthoujam too jumped ship in search of greener pasture.

With rusticated MLA RK Imo and seasoned politician Yamthong Haokip becoming its latest known faces to shift allegiance to the BJP, there is an inkling that the Congress party is struggling to keep its house in order with elections round the corner.

The efflux from the Congress is not confined to Manipur alone as there are reports that a whopping 200-plus Congress MLAs and MPs have joined the BJP after the latter occupied the seat of power in New Delhi and West Bengal seeing former Trinamool Congress legislators returning to their parent party after brief stint with the BJP as the former retained power in the assembly.

Apart from projecting the undiminishing popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and feasting on continuing downslide of the Congress in the northeast region, the BJP has been rather successful in compelling the elected people's representatives in Manipur from the opposition to think that their future lies in joining hands with the ruling entity.

For a change, there has been some striking difference in the style of administration of the present BJP-led coalition government as it appears to be transparent, at-least in public affairs, and willing to entertain public views and suggestions.

While it is obvious that not everybody would be impressed with the incumbent government's record in terms of infrastructure development, the only reason for the public ignoring the political turncoats is that they see the opposition legislators as merely bench warmers.

Contrary to predicament of the opposition MLAs whose tenure are technically wasted in waiting for the next election to test the public's pulse, the ruling party legislators have the luxury to bring eye-catching projects in their constituencies thereby ringing out the message that the regime is committed towards undertaking infrastructure development projects and generating employment opportunities.

Thus, it could be safely predicted that in the coming weeks or months there will be more sitting MLAs and intending candidates changing his/her political colours.