Voices of dissent against Govt from within and ally
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: April 28, 2023 -
REGARDLESS of the Kuki People's Alliance (KPA), which has been extending unconditional support to the BJP government, accusing the government of persecuting the tribal people in the state and voices of dissent raised by a handful of BJP legislators, it seems that all the MLAs, with exception of the five from the opposition Congress, are aware of the risk to their political career in case he/she distances from the incumbent government.
For instance, neither has the KPA announced formal withdrawal of support to the government inspite of the slew of allegations levelled ranging from issues related to demolition of a church built within a government quarter complex and selective targeting of the Kuki tribes during the eviction drive, nor the dissident BJP legislators tendered resignation from being MLAs.
Despite expressing disgruntlement in clear terms against the chief minister, the discontented BJP MLAs affirmed to remain loyal to the organisation and work for strengthening the party at the grassroots level, thereby testifying reluctance to part ways with the saffron party for they must be holding the belief that the BJP government at the centre will retain power, which in turn will ensure longevity of the government in the state.
Thus, at-least till the outcome of the Lok Sabha election which is due in the first quarter of 2024, it appears that the BJP-led government in the state will sail through any obstacles both from within its own set up and from the allies, whose number of legislators are far less than the BJP's.
While the sense of powerlessness as cited by the dissident MLAs as the primary reason for resigning from the administrative posts assigned to them could be construed as pressure tactics en-route to ministerial portfolios and an attempt to enhance individual profile before the electors, KPA's accusation that the present government is sectarian in religious and social outlook, anti-tribal, anti-poor and anti-hills merits consultation with legal professionals; if at all, its feels that the government has been discriminating its citizens.
It is worth noting here that after years of successive governments undermining the demand for granting Scheduled Tribe status to the Meetei/Meitei community, the aggrieved party approached the court and the latter recently directed the government to do the needful.
Therefore, with the number on its side, the BJP government would be least worried about withdrawal of support by the alliance partners as the immediate priority will obviously be mollifying the agitated party legislators so as to fight the upcoming parliamentary elections unitedly.
Nevertheless, it is imperative that whoever is helming the affairs should address concerns of the alliance partners in the true spirit of a coalition government, which is basically centred on the principle of accommodating the views and grievances of the allies.
It is equally important that the government authorities explain and justify demolition of the church from a site allotted for residency of tribal government employees, eviction drives carried out to protect the forests and the recent impasse over reservation of seats at the centrally-run RIMS, which are the core issues cited by the KPA to question the administration.
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