Jumping ship trademark of state's politicians
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: September 05, 2022 -

THE ruling BJP welcoming the five Janata Dal United (JD-U) MLAs underscores that regardless of imminent criticisms the saffron party has set firm sight on strengthening own position and weakening its potential rivals, given the opportunity.

After the stressful situation lasting few days after declaration of result of the assembly election, speculations were rife on whether or not N Biren would retain the post of chief ministership, but with the merger of the five JD-U MLAs with the BJP, the incumbent chief minister would be greatly relieved that his detractors, if any, wouldn't dare to rock his chair.

In fact, decision of the JD-U turncoats to embrace the BJP ideology could be attributed to the political shrewdness of chief minister Biren to neutralise any threat posed to his leadership as there have been few instances when ministers as well as MLAs of the ruling part or its alliance partners campaigned to replace him.

From his first term in office during which dissident legislators plotted to see change of baton at the top to the tension-filled first few days after the latest assembly election, it's an undeniable fact that N Biren had endured some torrid time, which testified that not all the ministers and MLAs cherish his leadership.

As politics is all about one-upmanship, clamour to remain in the public limelight for furthering own career and the ambitious ones not hesitating to pound up the rivals so as to ascend to the top have been acknowledged and accepted as a part and parcel of the political game.

As possibility of dissent within the BJP-led government cannot be ruled out in the future, the past bitter experience he had faced will definitely make the chief minister strive to enhance his personal profile as an astute leader and continue to focus on bringing notable developmental changes in the state, which is also the ultimate desire of the public.

Under his leadership, the government must make the people believe that better days are ahead and the state sees improvement in revenue collection, economic growth and infrastructure development.

More importantly, chief minister Biren will have to impress upon the central leaders that there are reasons for him to be rated as the best CM among the BJP-governed states some years back and that the past reports of his detractors' crusade to replace him was simply centred on personal vendetta.

While unstinted support by the JD-U turncoats has guaranteed the stability of his chair at-least till the next assembly elections, the only problem that might arise out of the five MLAs' merger with the BJP could be legal proceedings as has been declared by Manipur JD-U president Ksh Biren that the party will seek the disqualification of the five MLAs on the ground of violation of the 10th schedule of the Constitution.

However, taking into account of the fact that past court cases involving the political elites dragged on for years, it could be safely stated that the five former JD-U legislators wouldn't be overly worried for Jumping ship in search of greener pastures or for survival has been the trademark of Manipur's political class.