An electoral farce
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: April 07, 2014 -

From the numerous threats of boycotting some particular political parties and their candidates by the so-called civil society organisations (CSOs) only to be lifted afterward to the involvement of armed underground outfits and their cadres in intimidating the voters and candidates, and from the muscle and money power at play to the internal bickering within the same political set up, elections in Manipur have never failed to spring up surprises over the years.

And, it is not going to be any different in the ensuing 16th Lok Sabha elections to the two Parliamentary seats in the State.

While the Manipur unit of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has already become a divided house even before its electoral debut in the State to fight against corruption, the merger of a group of Manipur State Congress Party (MSCP) along with five elected legislators with the India National Congress (INC) has led to a high drama leaving many members of the either party fuming with rage.

Formation of pre-poll alliances among the political parties to take on the Congress and the BJP only to part midway bitterly, shifting of political allegiance from one political party to another (which, of course, would last only till the next elections) and announcing support for one candidate or the other through media, are some other interesting developments that are adding spices to the high political drama in the run up to the 16th Lok Sabha election in the State.

On the other hand, even though some of the CSOs particularly those based in Saikul and the Kuki UG groups under Suspension of Operation (SoO) with the Government, which have earlier announced boycott of the Congress party and its election related activities, have lifted the ban giving a sigh of relief to the party, another theatre of political conflict has emerged in the State, proving that the dictum 'there is no friend or foe in politics' would always remain true in Manipur.

After 10-year of divorce from political alliance, the Nagaland-based Naga People's Front (NPF) may have rejoined the BJP led-National Democratic Alliance (NDA), but with each passing day it is becoming more than evidently clear that the relationship between NPF and BJP is only far from cordial in Manipur.

Within two days of vandalising the office of BJP at Ukhrul district, another office of the saffron party came under attack at Chandel on April 5 night and in both the incidents the finger of accusation has been pointed to NPF and NSCN (IM), which are becoming synonymous when comes to the game of issuing diktat to voters against exercising their electoral rights in favour of any candidates other than that of NPF, all in the name of fighting for the rights of the Naga people.

Now, taking the electoral drama to a newer height, Independent candidate Amarson Sankhil Lamkang, who is supposedly contesting for seat of Outer Manipur (ST) Parliamentary Constituency, has announced his support to NPF candidate Soso Lorho voluntarily along with all his workers and supporters.

More than springing up surprises, this election is surely becoming a farce with full of absurdities.