It would be difficult for the younger generation of today to realise the euphoria caused when a regional political party named Manipur People's Party was formed in the late 1960s with stalwarts like Md Allimuddin from Lilong and Y Yaima from Oinam.

The people of Manipur at that time dreamt beautiful dreams that a political party with regional taste which would work exclusively for the people of Manipur was born. The new local party was welcomed whole-heartedly in the entire length and breadth of Manipur.

Though it is still regarded that the annexation of the independent kingdom of Manipur was forced and illegal, the annexation of the State as Part-C State had caused more pain to the mind of the Manipuris in the post-independence period before 1970.

Granting of statehood to Manipur in 1972 had nursed the political wound to some extent and the birth of a regional party was also a co-incidence to the new political development of that time. The transition of the political set up from Territorial Council to State Assembly brought this first regional party of Manipur to power in the first Assembly of Manipur.

The idea of Regional Parties and its importance in the affairs of the State came a decade later in other States of the country, like TDP in Andhra Pradesh, National Conference in Jammu and Kashmir and AGP in Assam.

Telugu Desam Party burst upon the Andhra Pradesh political scene in 1982 with a very strong anti-Congress identity and encashed on the prevalent anger against the ruling Congress party to capture power in the state in the 1983 election.

In the neighbouring state of Assam, the Assam Gana Parishad was formed as a regional political party by the student-turned politicians as a result of the Assam Accord of 1985.

Unlike the above two, there was no political events except the demand for statehood in Manipur and the MPP was founded on the regional sentiment of the people which has made this party to endear itself to the people of Manipur till now.

It has a long history of its own in the last 35 years with ups and downs. It has ruled the State twice and had sent an MP to the Parliament. In the subsequent Assembly Elections it still manages to have a voice in the house by winning atleast one or two seats.

The MPP of 2007:

In the just concluded Assembly Election of February, early forecast favour that the election of 2007 would be a triumphant ramp for coming back to power or resurgence of an old political party. Arrangements had already been made way back in 2005-06 by revamping party organisations and absorbing other regional parties like MSCP and FPM.

The party also succeeds in bringing some young intellects like Human Right Activist RK Anand, academician and former Vice Chancellor of Manipur University Dr Ng Bijoy etc. The home coming or taking in of political heavyweights roaming in the wilderness like Th Chaoba of Utlou and RK Dorendra of Yaiskul made it more powerful for the battle of ballot.

The confidence of the MPP was so high on the eve of the 9th Assembly election that its President Dr L Chandramani had gone to the extent of even declaring that an MPP led coalition Government will be sworn in on March 2nd 2007.

It is said that life is unpredictable. It is much more so in politics. The much talk favourite wind for MPP before election does not bring hope but shattered dream for the party. The result has its own story to tell.

The MPP has managed to secure only five seats with four new faces and old Joy of Langthabal in the lead. The leaders had to look in awe and disbelief to the election result and specially to the EVM machines.

It is still a matter for discussion whether RK Anand of Naoriya Pakhanglakpa, Dr Ng Bijoy of Khurai and Th Shyamkumar of Andro won the election in their personal image and integrity or on the platform of MPP.

These new faces emerged victorious while other heavyweights bite the dust is a matter of serious introspection whether MPP stepped in the wrong tracks by embracing old and tested politicians while making new commitments to the people of Manipur.

The MPP appears to have gained initial advantage with vociferous style of campaign in the AFSPA and State integrity issue. It is remarkable that all the political parties had seized upon AFSPA as a major slogan in a virtually identical way. All the political leaders took a stand on the controversial act. But MPP had advanced one step more.

In every election meeting the one sentence which the leaders of MPP did not fail to mention was 'vote for MPP to save Sharmila'. This overstatement, their effort to gain political mileage out of Irom Sharmila's struggle against AFSPA was very unfortunate for the party and earned a sharp rebuke from the voters.

The MPP believed that AFSPA and integrity issue would fetch them votes and a leader to power. So emotions had run very high and the leaders believed that their speeches were taken seriously by the people and they were so sure that it would translate into votes in their favour. This has brought the mistakes in their calculation and miseries after the election.

But all is not lost for this oldest regional party of Manipur. There are many who have thought that voting for MPP is an act of faith, an expression of self-respect and self-identity.

What though the MPP lost in not getting absolute majority? The party has got men of eminent personalities like O Joy, Dr Bijoy and RK Anand in the 9th Legislative Assembly of Manipur.

They will certainly take the responsibility of a watchful opposition to check the performance (or the misdeeds if any) of the ruling SPF in policy matters and in matters of public interest.

Then the good showings of these people will harvest the good will of the people for this party in the coming years.