Blame games, alright, but stop politicizing the Sports’ University
- Imphal Times Editorial :: October 11 2016 -

Preliminary bout for the upcoming 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly is all set with rival political parties engaging tough blame game.

The last few days showed slashing criticism against the INC, which is in power in the government and the BJP which is in power at the Center.

With almost all political parties other than the BJP and INC remaining in low profile this time one thing that the people of this state knows is that this election is going to be a straight fight between the BJP and INC.

Horse trading candidates is all set with BJP inviting winnable candidates and the congress too absorbing sitting MLAs.

The departure of former Minister and sitting MLA of Heingang Assembly Constituency and also the joining of Veteran Congress politician Y. Erabot to the BJP has given a thrashing blow to the Ruling Congress party.

But for Chief Minister Okram Ibobi and other leader of the congress party the minus of two MLA is not a worrying factor, he still has 50 MLA in the house of 60.

Even as the question of the 4 Trinamool Congress MLAs which they absorb officially is not official to the Manipur Legislative Assembly, Ibobi seemed to have no worry and is in full confidence of returning back to power.

As for the BJP, the incumbent Congress government is soured by majority people. People now wanted to throw out the party due to various reasons.

The Okram Ibobi Singh led Congress government is in power for 3 consecutive terms.

And as a result it is sure that the anti incumbency factor for being long in the power and the various scandals and scams which happen during the three terms has now been known by each and every politically sensitive people.

High level of corruption, delayed in delivering justice and the deteriorating law and order condition is certain thing that the people have started looking for alternative government.

However, the major issue that the two rivals are engaging in heated blame game is the issue of National Sport University.

Well, both parties seem to be playing well with this issue which has to be beyond politics.

Congress is trying hard to blame the BJP over its failure to establish the University even after providing required land.

On the other hand the BJP is blaming the state government saying that instead of establishing the University at an appropriate place they chose a disputed land and delayed the work for establishment of the University.

Both the political parties are right from their perspectives.

When Vice President and Spokesperson of MPCC, Y Surchandra while making a clarification over the allegation by rival group BJP, he said that there is no dispute to the acquisition of land for construction of Sports University at Yaithibi Loukon as the matter is settled now.

In fact, something fishy is still sense to the politically sensitive people on the reason for picking up the land instead of choosing the one near Koutruk.

The people of the area had agreed to donate the land so government needs not to spend huge amount for acquisition of land if the choice is at Koutruk side.

Another astounding thing that is heard from Mr. Surchandra, the bureaucrat turns politician is that , he lied to the people of the state by saying that the disputed 32.65 acres of land at 44 Yaithibi Khunou has been settled as the owners had agreed to sign the direct purchase at the rate of Rs 3 lakhs per Sangam (0.62 acres).

Actually the agreement between some of owners and the DC of Thoubal district was signed October 1 this year and it was not at Rs 3 lakhs per Sangam but it was Rs 6 lakh per Sangam.

A letter regarding the matter sent to Director Youth Affairs and Government of Manipur, by the Deputy Commissioner Thoubal said that the matte has been settled through direct purchase at the rate of Rs 6 lakhs per Sangam and out of the disputed 32.65 acres 25.35 acres has been settled.

This means that some portion still is not settled.

For the BJP it is cleared that until the state government submitted and hand over the land bill for establishment of the University, which is mandatory cannot be passed in the parliament as it would amount to violation of rules and guidelines.

So in this case the BJP seems to be somewhat sincere to this issue.

Or else how could MPCC unable to answer when demanded to produce a paper or made announcement that the dispute at 44-Yaithibi Loukon over construction of Sports University has been settled.

A humble appeal – Please stop politicizing on Sport’s University the future of the state.