No takers for the hot seat !
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: February 14, 2025 -

CONSENSUS continuing to elude on who should replace N Biren as the chief minister underscores that shrewdness is one of the essential qualities in handling the affairs in a chronically problematic state like Manipur.

Home to various ethnic communities, the state has been witnessing leaders of political organisations as well as civil societies propagating community/tribe-centric agenda consequently blurring and diluting the general sentiment for harmonious coexistence. Such'train of thought is not only undesirable but also unwanted for it poses a direct threat to the existence of Manipur as a place which is there for all groups of people, irrespective of their religious beliefs and practices.

This existential divergent political aspirations and beliefs is exactly the reason why frequent pleas by concerned stakeholders and socio-political commentators for fostering unity have not been generating commensurate response from the masses.

That Manipur is passing through a critical phase primarily owing to existence of individuals or groups that do not subscribe to the idea of unity and integrity could also be attributed to the current state of political instability and imminent imposition of the President's Rule.

For over four days since N Biren tendered resignation as the chief minister, there have been hectic political activities as choice or search for the CM candidate continues to elude Dr Sambit Patra, who has been entrusted by the BJP central leaders for gracious change of guard.

With the extended scouting for the fittest candidate ending in futility, it's obvious that Governor AK BhaIla shall have to take a call, at the soonest, on whether to keep the assembly under animated suspension or recommend the President's Rule.

Regardless of the opposition parties as well as the alliance partners of the BJP-led government voicing objection against the proclamation of the President's Rule, there seems to be no alternatives, as someone must oversee the administrative affairs, pending consensus among the BJP legislators.

Notwithstanding the assurance given by Langthabal MLA Karam Shyam that positive actions would be taken in accordance to wishes and desires of the people of Manipur within the next few days, absence of sacrificial spirit among the BjP legislators, almost all driving by the lust for power, must have by now convinced the party's central leaders that time has come for their intervention.

As the MLA, who himself had been holding grudge against N Biren for not accommodating him in the council of ministers, hinted that the appointment of a new chief minister in the immediate future is unlikely, it could be safely discerned that none of his MLA colleagues, who met Dr Sambit Patra, backed the candidate, if any, recommended/proposed by the BJP's northeast trouble-shooter.

It is also possible that the BJP MLAs, who individually held brief meetings with Dr Sambit, declined the latter's offer to occupy the hot seat taking into account that Kuki civil bodies as well as Saikot MLA Paolienlal Haokip made it crystal clear not to retract from the demand for a separate administration of the Kuki community regardless of appointment of a new chief minister, including from the Kuki.

In short, with no one staking claim to form the government so far and the state on the verge of a constitutional crisis, the people shall have to embrace President's Rules at-least for the mandatory six months.