The recent split of Mr. Khaidem Mani with two MLAs from DPP andrubbed shoulders with the Indian National Congress is something worth debate in the public. Politics as seen in the context of Manipur are all the story of cheats, fraud and betrayal that everybody would agree to it. For this account Mr. Khaidem Mani along with two MLAs might have got a lot of 'says' in question but how far they will be able to convince the general public is something known to them alone.

We also have seen the ups and downs of various political parties in Manipur. Many regional parties have had emerged with a dozen of unscrupulous politicians and rhetoric speakers towards bringing about a transformed society with a tons of tall promises, which in due course banished into thin air soon as the election campaign ends. But the general perspective is: DPP is a new party emerging out with a change, taking itself a firm vow to form a 'New Manipur'.

Mr. Mani had never hesitated to thunder at the top of his voice in the public meeting during the election campaign that other political parties are rejected by the masses and they are tainted for their offices and residential quarters have been burnt down in the June 18th uprising. "We have emerged on the mission to provide the sons and daughters of the soil an alternative. Any members of the party who ever flayed or defected will be awarded fitted punishment (Either shot at the hand or leg) by the people's court". He said. Today Mr. Mani himself stood in the dock of so to say the "people's court" for he had defected from his own party. What mode of punishment would be given to him? It will be better Mr. Mani himself comes out to share his views as regards the mode of punishment to be awarded to him and the two MLAs.

Mr. Mani as we have seen in the past, had been presented himself as a true public leader and little did one believe such a celebrity figure would succumb to materialistic world either for a mere benefit in his life. The recent defection, though I have no any idea in regard of the internal crisis in the DPP set up, it is not wrong to comment that Mr. Mani is not different from any politician or so called leaders in Manipur as seen in the past. If he has self-respect he should have felt it. Democratic Peoples Party though it couldn't hit the mark as it had determined but one shouldn't simply overlooked the voters who had cast their valuable vote believing in the widely publicized party manifesto and its principle. People's memory is not that too short as Mr. Mani and two of his colleagues namely Mr. Biren and Th. Meinya assessed. The maximum votes that DPP swayed in the election had been through the campaign against the Indian National Congress and the state territorial issue was the main plank. Mr. Mani had always spoken quiet many times that the Congress party is a rootless party in Manipur and its majority in the Assembly Election could be a threat to the state integrity and its territory.

Now he is a silent man dreaming of becoming big while betraying his well- wishers and lakhs of voters who cast their vote in his much acclaimed and rhetoric phrase "A new Manipur". I wonder whether he carries "The New Manipur" in his pocket or had he passed it away to Dr. Meinya or Biren? Besides that he assured that the infamous "Armed Forces Special Power Act" would be withdrawn from Manipur. He had not even uttered a single word of it now instead it has frozen in the cold storage and definitely this will not be discussed for a few decades now. The rumuor that flies around the city and far flung places of Manipur is that as a boon from Congress hierarchy, Mr. Mani will be given a political post in appreciation to his joining to congress. Congratulation is being accorded to him. As a layman in politics I don't know the differences of the political parties. But sometimes I do wonder how people like Mr. Mani and former journalist Mr. Biren could change their mind in such a short time? Manipur is a small state and we know how some mischievous people altered the public platform into that of politics to get their due share in the dirty political game.

Besides Mani, there is Udoi Thongam, the former Convener of UCM, R.K. Anand, former Spokesman of AMUCO and a protagonist in the Anti-Ceasefire stir and two former presidents of the powerful Students organization AMSU namely Mr. L.C. Somorendra and P. Premananda and few other new faces who made much hues and cries on a self invented mission that they termed it to bring about a New Manipur through electoral process. In a drama like event, the group along with Mr. Mani led a procession toward "Sahid Minar" popularly known as Tikendrajit Park with some of the members gripped a deadly axe and took solemn bow towards adhering to the party principle and bringing about a New Manipur till their last breath at the bottom of the Sahid Minar. Interestingly, as I have witnessed the event, pressmen in Manipur were jostling for space while trying to give coverage the oath taking ceremony. Mr. Khaidem Mani in his emotional speech proclaimed the axe raising above will fall down on those who had defected the party and further assured "DPP is a party with a difference". He was very much admired indeed. "He is a true son of the soil," remarked one of the elderly men who happen to be nearby the glitzy event.

Unfortunately, little did people of Manipur know all those promises that have been made come out only to be dishonored? If DPP had ever been a party with ethics and follow its own principle why it became a coalition partner with the congress at the first place? Author of this note have no ill feeling against the present Congress led coalition Government but this is to contradict the version of DPP prior to the post election and after election.

The promise of withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Power Act have out rightly declined by the Coalition Government even before they could speak of it. Yet the innocent public fell victim in an ever alarming rate than ever before in the hands of the uniformed personnel and still continues. Would not these reasons be enough for DPP functionaries to rethink their stand? DPP as always speaks by itself, is a different party with a new political thought and principle - that was the tool that have cut much ice and ultimately it could have bagged two prestigious seats in its debut Assembly Election.. Had not this been so, the question of two MLAs on the Assembly floor might have been remained just a mid-summer night's dream. Such things never fell down from the heaven in the form of boons or blessing - well it was the blessing of a section of mankind who believe in the integrity, truth and in the manifesto of the DPP.

Now the DPP is left out with few of its office bearers. It is obvious that after a long journey they will have to start writing on a clean slate now. It is obvious that DPP leaders at the beginning have not assessed well what might be taking place in the passage of time. The hasty launch of a new party in the backdrop of 18th June 2001 by the same people who led the ceasefire stir is dubious character by itself. Had the party leaders been conscious enough, they would not have floated the party at that point of time. The mode of launching a new political Party to save the Manipur is too far- fetched motive at that very confusing moment. Keeping in abeyance for another term and screening the right Person to go into the fray might have been better option. That way people may appreciate the step of the DPP and the leaders who had come along the way as part of the State issue since long. I am afraid DPP is now on its way to the graveyard to have an premature burial.