Cleverly worded and politically right : Gaikhangam : Right man for Cong
- Sangai Express Editorial :: February 11, 2014 -

In Mr Gaikhangam as the president of the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee, the Congress party seems to have the perfect man to take the sting out of its political rivals.

Cleverly worded and politically right.

This was Mr Gaikhangam when he expressed ‘happiness over the warm welcome accorded to the BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi at the political rally at Langjing Achouba ground.’

In one sweeping sentence, Mr Gaikhangam sought to underscore the point that the huge gathering at Langjing Achouba was nothing more than the culture of the people in welcoming guests !

He went one step forward in claiming credits for the State Government in ensuring that the election rally went off without a hitch.

The sarcasm and wittiness in the observation of Mr Gaikhangam would not have missed the eyes and ears of the keen political observers.

There is however a flip side to it too.

In conveying his opinion and therefore the stand of the Congress, the MPCC chief, who also happens to be the Deputy Chief Minister did send out the message that the Congress has taken note of the NaMo wave that seems to be sweeping across some parts of the country.

Known as a soft spoken person but adept at delivering left handed compliments, Mr Gaikhangam was in his elements when he addressed the media one day after the visit of Narendra Modi.

The strategy of the State Congress is becoming clearer by the day. Leave the task of taking the fight against the other political parties to Mr Gaikhangam and this strategy seems to be working, at least for the moment.

So while almost all the Imphal based media houses, including The Sangai Express went ga-ga over the NaMo effect, Mr Gaikhangam was quietly working out his own strategy to take the sting out of the visit from the Prime Ministerial candidate of the BJP and to a certain extent he seems to have succeeded in his endeavour.

In stating that the ‘Manipuri people do not appreciate campaigning by leaders coming from outside the State however popular they may be in other parts of the country, Congress has already stopped inviting high profile leaders for election campaign in the State,’ Mr Gaikhangam sort of pulled out an ace to stop the media persons from raising any comparison between Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi.

How far this will stand the test of time remains to be seen for the Congress is yet to go full throttle, but implicitly Mr Gaikhangam seemed to convey the message that Rahul Gandhi may just give a miss to Manipur this time.

A strategy that may work for comparisons are bound to be made between Gandhi’s visit and Modi’s visit and as far striking a chord with the people is concerned or taking the right pot shots, Mr Modi seems to be ahead of the young Gandhi scion.

The coming days will surely be interesting.

Lest the people forget, it is not only going to be a contest between the Congress and the BJP, for in Dr Nara, the CPI has a man who can take the fight to the camps of the Congress and the BJP in the Inner Parliamentary Constituency.

In the Outer Parliamentary seat too, other than the BJP and the Congress, the NPF as a political force cannot be discounted that easily.

Remember how Mr Rio turned out to a star campaigner for the NPF in the hill areas of Manipur in the run up to the election to the 10th Assembly in 2012.

In other words, it is not only going to be Mr Gaikhangam and Narendra Modi or Mr Th Chaoba.

With quite a number of regional political parties maintaining equi-distance from the Congress and the BJP, the possibility of a powerful Third Front emerging after the election is something which cannot be dismissed.

And this is where parties like the CPI and the NPF come into prominence. As observed earlier, the last word is yet to be said but it is certainly going to be interesting.

Let healthy debates, tinged with witticism mark the coming days, is our fervent wish and hope.

For too long the rabble rousers have had their day.