Decisive public mandate, indecisive on CM post
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: March 16, 2022 -

APPOINTMENT of central observers and co-observers by the BjP Parliamentary Board to pick the legislative party leader in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur assemblies rings out the message that after its comprehensive victories in these states the central leaderships of the saffron party are determined to make the process for selection of chief ministers as smooth as possible.

For years, such exercise has been a formality for every party poised to helm the affairs but this time around it seems there is more than meets the eye, especially in Manipur where ministerial berths and the chief minister's post are considered most lucrative political assignments.

Had there been no competition for the top job in the state and the elected legislators possess the qualities to sacrifice for further strengthening the party then it's obvious that BJP parliamentary board wouldn't have to intervene and individually quiz the MLAs for recording their choices, as would be unfolding when the central observers arrive here.

The board entrusting Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Kiren Rijiju to oversee selection of the chief minister points to the strong possibility of an intense tussle to occupy the hot seat.

Unlike Uttar Pradesh, where Yogi Adityanath seems to have no rival, shortlisting the chief ministerial candidates for Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur will definitely entail involvement of the central leaders as any sort of political instability and internal disenchantment in the three states have the potential to snowball into a major issue.

Avoiding such conflict situation is exactly the reason why top union ministers and BJP functionaries have been entrusted to finalise the CM selection process with minimum fuss.

Apparent lack of consensus among the legislators on who should head the new government is undoubtedly the main factor for the BJP not staking claim officially to form the government days after declaration of the election results unlike in 2017 when the same party moved swiftly to cobble up post-poll understanding with multiple parties and wrested power.

However, with the numbers on its side this time around, the BJP faces no threat with exception of the MLAs unable to elect leader of the legislative party.

The BJP central leaders might succeed in bringing an understanding among whoever is eyeing for the chief minister's post but the indecision among the legislators, and possible hectic lobbying for change of leadership or to maintain status quo are likely to linger on even if the infighting ceases.

In short, expecting return of camaraderie between the dissenting groups and individuals will remain elusive.

BJP organisational leaders and party's elected members had been vociferously denying reports of rift over the CM's post but it's an undeniable fact that caretaker chief minister N Biren, former minister Th Biswajit and party's state chief A Sharda dashing to New Delhi is not for courtesy call on the central leaders.

It must be remembered that midway into its first term in office, the BJP-led government faced political instability after key portfolios of two cabinet ministers were divested.

While one of the ministers lobbied for removal of chief minister N Biren, the other along with his MLA colleagues walked out and schemed to overthrow the coalition government, though both attempts fizzled out due to intervention by the national leaders.

Thus, the BJP national leaders need to promptly decide who should head the next government before the only issue remaining unsolved leads to multiple political chaos in the state.