Dissent churns BJP Manipur
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 09 2015 :
Even though three disqualified MLAs have been taken into its fold with much elan recently, BJP Manipur Pradesh is reportedly experiencing a tumultuous period because of growing dissent.
After three MLAs elected on AITC tickets were disqualified by the Manipur Legislative Assembly Speaker's Tribunal, they joined the BJP and they were accorded a warm reception by leaders of BJP Manipur Pradesh.
However, instantaneous admission of former MLAs Thongam Bishwajit, Oinam Lukhoi and Khumukcham Joykishan without following the standard procedures have created bad feelings and dissent among many BJP members who have been in the party since a long time back.
One BJP leader said on condition of anonymity that BJP still has no or little presence in some areas although the party's strength has been growing by leaps and bounds in most parts of the country.
Overlooking the party's organisational structure and political leaders working at grassroots level is one main factor for the party's inability to make its presence felt in some areas.
BJP suffered a crushing defeat in the Delhi Legislative Assembly election despite the sweeping Narendra Modi wave because of putting up one new member as the party's Chief Ministerial candidate.
Whereas BJP won 31 seats in the previous Delhi Assembly election, it could secure only three seats in the last election.
Moreover, BJP's Chief Ministerial candidate Kiran Bedi suffered a humiliating defeat.
No political party can build up its strength if it does not comply with its own rules and regulations.
Mobilization of party supporters should start from the grassroots level.
Notably, the BJP Manipur Pradesh president rolled out the red carpet when the three disqualified MLAs came into the party's fold.
The president was exuberating that BJP would definitely open its account in the by-election to the three Assembly segments of Thongju, Thangmeiband and Wangoi.
While many BJP members have expressed strong displeasure against the party leadership's decision to embrace the three disqualified MLAs, BJP Thangmeiband Mandal has gone a step further and they have already decided to lodge a complaint with the party's Central leadership.
Many members of BJP Thangmeiband Mandal expressed strong dissent against admitting the three disqualified MLAs without consulting party members who have been working for the party since the past 30 years.
It was during the Prime Ministership of Atal Behari Vajpayee that the 10th Schedule was introduced in the Indian Constitution with a view to ensure political stability in the country.
It was under this Schedule that the three MLAs were disqualified.
But the former Prime Minister's novel efforts were belied by taking the three disqualified MLAs into the party's fold, said the BJP leader.
He said that they would soon submit a written appeal to the Prime Minister and other Central leaders of the party not to accept any disqualified MLA not only in Manipur but also in every State.