The road ahead
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: March 02, 2012 -

As we wait for the declaration of the result of the election to the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly on March 6, some significant developments took place which might have a bearing on the shape of things to come.

The first being the Election Commission of India's decision to conduct another round of re-poll in 67 polling stations in the hill districts of the state.

The other significant developments are the withdrawal of CPI from the SPF government and the consequent realignment of forces of with altogether 11 political parties in the state agreeing in principle to form a non-Congress government.

The re-poll though a little late in coming, was more or less expected, given the scale of proxy voting as was amply proved by photo comparison and the controversies surrounding the postal ballot papers as also other complaints from various quarters.

Initially, there were some conflicting signals coming from the from the ECI with the Chief Election Commissioner PC Lawmkunga ruling out another round of re-poll but the barrage of evidence pointing to large scale use of unfair means during the voting many of the polling stations left it with no option but to go in for another round of re-poll.

We entirely go with this decision, for no matter how costly the exercise is, how painstaking the preparation is, none of these considerations should come in the way of holding a free and fair election to the best possible extend.

This time around, adequate and foolproof security should be provided not just inside the polling station but around the whole entire area surrounding the polling station.

Every effort should be made to foil all attempts at booth capturing or use of unfair means, and let the people choose their representatives free from any form of coercion for a true reflection of their mandate. This re-poll will definitely have a bearing on the final results if it is conducted without any interference from any quarters.

Along with this, the withdrawal of CPI from the SPF government and aligning itself openly with the other non-congress grouping is bound to have an impact on the government formation.

Though things were not going too well with the Congress - CPI alliance was clear fro quite some time. Dr Nara resigned as Convener of SPF following differences but surprisingly CPI MLAs not only continued to support the SPF government but also held on to ministerial chairs and head other Public undertakings.

Now to talk about difference with the Congress over non -implementation of the common minimum programme or charge the Congress of not providing good governance at the end of the term, will find very few takers.

We can't be faulted if we are conclude that the spit has little to do with ideology or difference over policies and programs and is dictated more by realpolitiks.

The left (read CPI) is known for its commitment to the socialist ideology but here in Manipur we have seen very little evidence of that commitment, satisfied as it is to be an appendix of the Congress.

Whichever formation, the left is part of, we would like it to truly represent the interest of the common people and not fall prey to the trappings of power.