The story began with Shree Tomba, a desperate young man. A born-philanthropist he was and his only wish in life was to serve his poor villagers backward in all fronts. The much dilapidated village road, perennial dark nights in absence of the electricity and sporadic diseases caused for want of hygienic drinking water in that village were his primary concern, which have been neglected by the authority over the years. However Shree Tomba realized bitterly that to translate all these noble schemes into reality would involve a considerable amount of money, which he had not. That is why he is a desperate man. Shree Tomba is ever ready to sacrifice even his own life if that could mean a fortune for his hapless villagers. People in the locality always regarded him as their messiah and one without sin.

On the other hand, a tiger has decided to leave this materialistic world, has a wish to have human flesh of the most pious man as his last meal before converting into a fulltime monk After a long quest, he found in the person of Shree Tomba to be the most deserving person of his urge. On the proposition of the tiger to become his prey, Shree Tomba was delighted thinking that at least his mortal could be of useful and quench somebody's thirst.

However the thought of his poor people doesn't leave him easily and it continues to torment him. So Shree Tomba made his revelation to the tiger and requested to wait him for few years more. The pleasant tiger was filled with joy and offered him two bags containing with crisp currency notes to fulfill his desire. His last plea before he departs to Shree Tomba was to continue to uphold the same dignity till the scheduled time comes.

As days turned into the years, the tiger returned to Shree Tomba on the appointed day only to find him a completely changed man. In that few years' stint, he had lavishly spent and found less time working for the development of his villagers. Instead he engaged some chronologist to work on his biography wherein he was portrayed to be one of the philanthropists, which was fabricated and well spiced. No doubt Shree Tomba has turned out to a selfish and highly corrupt human being. The new acquired qualities and development that took place during the agreed period left the tiger high and dry and returned to the jungle with tears in eyes while cursing his own faith. This short play "Shree Tomba amasung Kei" was scripted by late Brajachand and made its first stage debut about two decade or so ago.

Late Brajachand's Shree Tomba reflected the modus operandi of many upcoming politicians in our Society. All the politicians wear the mask of social workers and act as if they have deeply wedded to the causes of the Society at the beginning. They made promises before the election only to dishonor it after winning the election. Whoever he or she may, even the most honest man turned to its antonyms the moment one equips with power in politics. Much water had been flown down the Imphal River but the promises they made left still to be kept.

The very much look- alike character to Shree Tomba is the story of DPP and its former President. The Former President of DPP had been known as one of the dedicated social worker when one flips the pages of history. We have seen him many times on the microphone, delivering sermon on many public issues. His shrill and squeaky voice still lingering on and echoing in this beautiful land. When he became the President of the New Party, people of Manipur expected a lot from him.

The very impressive speech in the Election campaign of the DPP was the proposed withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Power Act from Manipur. Black laws will be rooted out if we come to the power sharing in the governance the than President said. Sometimes he also spoke with a touch of drama in a slightly borrowed phrase of Netaji Subhachandra Bose, 'Give us your vote and we will give you a New Manipur'. A thunderous clap would always follow in every gap of his speech. But all these promises have never seen the light of the day. The hue and cry that filled the air and galore of promises that have been made indeed was a nine days wonder. And the President had not turned out like a brave knight with shining Armour. Little did people understand that the axe he held with the motive to cleanse the society would turn to an axe to grind? Any way politics has it all.

Despite many efforts, DPP could have landed with only two legislatures on the floor of the Assembly who in due course have defected to the Indian National Congress. DPP could have swayed much votes in the Election on two points: one is the withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Power Act and another being so to say A New Manipur Through Electoral Reform. The President always emphasized, DPP will be a Party with a difference and no defection culture would be allowed. He always spoke in the tone of the hard-core group and when he said, people carry a conviction of it for he was considered as a man of words as one goes down to the roots of his humble beginning. He was a crusader against the defection. But this all proven wrong as he, himself defected first from the Party. It may safely conclude that the power and financial support he received made his determination fragile. What is most seriously to be viewed is that the Presidents defection has sapped the vitality of any regional forces with political aspiration to ever raise its head in future. He had crushed it. It is unfortunate. Yes, politics as seen in Manipur everything can be possible. There is no hard and fast rule. Politicians have the freedom to change tack at the drop of a hat. Yesterday's enemy becomes today's friend. But the general public, however, is no so quick in forgetting things and at making a U-turn. They better smell it.

DPP was a young child in the Manipur Political Chess board, who viewed things with premature optimism at the beginning. The hasty projection of a Party at the backdrop of the 18th June was the greatest mistake on the part of the people who invented the idea. Had the Party really been represented the peoples pulse, than the only two seats in Assembly was not the answer. A handful of protagonist in The Anti Cease-Fire Stir couldn't cut much ice and on the other hand people were not ready to practice their franchise empty handed. Many of the candidates contested in the DPP tickets happened to be the ones contested earlier election representing various political parties. They will never be a new born baby overnight imbedded to the concept of DPP. Many of them contested with the bookies idea that DPP would push them up from back but it was not happened. In the process there were a lot of promising candidates who made their maiden appearance in the politics. They sprung out to serve the people with their sincere approach only to extend a helping hand to the deprived lot. Those people would not have been contested had not DPP been formed. They were of the view that the people of Manipur could have a taste of life only when some sincere politician in the power can feel their pulse. But such idea has been nipped in the butt. None of them won the election.

People would clap for a corruption free Manipur but that very hand would not hesitate to receive crispy 500 rupees notes too at the same time. Had there been at least 5 legislatures in DPPs kitty things might have been different too. Somebody may also point his finger to the author of this article for he was also one of the crusaders of the so-called A New Manipur in the election campaign of DPP. Yes it was true. I have addressed many public meetings, attempted to sell the ideas of DPP for I believed in its principles and people who led it. But who could predict the driver of the vehicle will head for the gorge. Aristotle had correctly said, The good of man must be the end of science of Politics.

Akin to the grown up coquette girl who couldn't ignore her adolescence, DPP too made a courtship with Congress and hastily bedded with him as being enamored to his trendy cap and luxurious lifestyle while abandoning her fiancée DPA in lurch. The concept, idea and good schooling imparted in the Public Institution soon influenced by the culture of her newly acquired hubby. Her father and the rest of relatives, who were deadly against the Congress one time also took the new development as blessing in disguise and enjoyed the worldly materials offered by the in-laws. They have forgotten that they were on mission as they often claimed but it was too late when they realized things. In the short period association, they have accustomed to nod their head in submission and became a Yes Chief Minister, Sir to any discussion. When the Armed Forces Special Power Act was discussed, DPP too have nodded Yes Sir in extending few more years in Manipur. The brave heroes of undaunted characters who made much repercussion across the Country earlier dwarfed before the Congress by its magic wand akin to the faith of GratuKhacha of Mahabharata whose strength had been extracted by the single embrace of Shri Krishna on the eve of the Mahayudha. DPPs wave evoked like a balloon, which represents the peoples voice and suddenly burst on contact with the pin of materialistic gimmick. Only then people realized the balloon has nothing special in it but some hot and smelly gas. It is quiet sad.

DPP has now fallen back in the arms of her former lover DPA (Democratic Peoples Alliance) believing in the doctrine Old is Gold. Now she is not as charming as before for the two ear rings made out of the finest gold presented by her well wishers was no longer seen attaching to her ears and the costly metal-chain imported from the Cheirap Court Market with a view to attracting many young guys were left behind at her in-laws residence. A Manipuri lady without ornaments generally looks pitiable. What all left out - is her skeleton covered by the thin layer of flesh. People wouldn't believe her as she had changed a lot. DPA though slightly offended of her unbecoming nature still happy at heart in the concept that, If you love something set it free if it comes back it is yours if it doesn't it never was. Anyway it is the hour of reunion. Let us hope the bitter lesson she learnt from her in-laws could transform her to be an ideal lady with self-respect. If she had to sing the same old song as sung in her time of adolescence than it is afraid DPP would become another girl living in the shady lane. Let us pray that such faith not befallen on the lady belonged to the blue blood clan.