The MPP's challenge of the SPF government
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: March 28, 2011 -

VERY RECENTLY a tragic incident took place where the son of a minister in the incumbent SPF government shot dead a young man who was undergoing studies in Bangalore.

The MPP has taken up cudgels against Ibobi's government saying that the murderous act is a clear example of the high handed and insolent nature of the ruling elite. One feels, by and large, this is a correct assessment.

Most ministers and most top bureaucrats consider themselves to be beyond the pale of law and justice. Most people find them far too distant in their work style, far too officious and far too patronising.

Add to this the charges of widespread corruption, and the face of the government does not invite compassion.

In the circumstances one can only express deep concern and share the unbearable loss of a young man who lost his life just because he lived in a society where ill begotten power rules the roost. May the family of the deceased find some relief in the form of justice awarded.

The dead young man was the only son of his parents, the precious apple of the eye of his family.

Nothing could arouse more desperate anguish and loath of those in power, who the common man feels, is responsible for turning Manipur into a land where the right to live has been compromised.

Their behaviour and actions are seen, they may not be aware of this, as traits and acts of arrogant usurpers of power.

On the other end of this tragic spectrum is the tragi-comic stand of the MPP on the issue. Its reaction can only be seen as a knee jerk response. It is going through a rigmarole like a parrot prattling the few words it knows.

Instead of having a series of serious brainstormings on how to make the ruling government feel vulnerable, or how to spread the awareness of the short comings of the government to the people, or how to translate the general dissatisfaction of the people into an electoral victory, it has reacted to the tragedy like a local club would do.

It organised a sit-in-protest where its leaders duly harangued the government, asked the minister (whose son was responsible for the killing) to resign, submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister asking him to immediately impose President's Rule in the state.

Its reaction has been like a wet sock. Since they have not realised the facts somebody has to tell the MPP gently but very firmly that unless it is spearheading a popular movement the central government is not even going to give a blink to their demands.

Is the party so bereft of ideas and strategies that it chooses to live in a world of make belief? They are making it clear to all that if the incumbent government has let down the people, they themselves are even worse.

It is said, in the 1970s, in West Bengal, when the Left Front led by Jyoti Basu was in total command of Bengal politics, the few Congress MLAs elected frequently tried to disrupt proceedings in the Writers Building by continuous shouting.

Fed up with the farce, a left MLA complained to Jyoti Basu. The unruffled man is said to have remarked softly, let them shout, that is the only work they have.

If there be a lesson in the story we have noted it well. There have been serious acts of ommission from the government's side and the MPP is reacting with its usual limpid, innane and knee jerk style.

What can one say. Let them do so, that is the only work they have.