Politics is all about serving people, as politics without intent of serving people has no meaningful interpretation. This is the mantra of (Tamo) Kshetrimayum Bhabananda Singh. Bhabananda, an alumnus of Delhi University’s Hans Raj College, is known for his clean-image in his 22-year-long political career. Since he became chief of the Bharatiya Janata Party of Manipur on May 2, 2016, the State witnessed a large number people joining the BJP. Moreover, for the first time the saffron party is now contesting on all 60-odd Assembly constituencies in the forthcoming 11th Manipur State Assembly elections to be held on March 4 and 8. Bhabananda speaks to The Pioneer’s leichombam Kullajit in Imphal about the party’s strategies, Irom Chanu Sharmila, AFSPA... Excerpts:
Being at the helm of Manipur BJP for the last 10 months, this is going to be your first major test of leadership. What will be your major vote plank in the electionIJ Do you think the Modi magic will help BJP sail through in the StateIJ
* The BJP believes in collective responsibility. The party functionaries are always guided by the principles and rules of conduct laid down by the party. As the party president, Manipur Pradesh, I have my share of responsibility in trying to bring about positive changes in the State.
The BJP offers good governance, transparency, accountability and an inclusive development as against mis-governance, corruption and insensitivity to public by the Congress.
Modi’s magic is not merely perceptual but is a reality. Modi ji’s track record of performances are manifestations of good and noble intentions, meticulous planning and hard working on all inclusive development especially in transforming India by empowering the weaker and poorer sections of society.
Yes! We can expect to win in Manipur as well.
How many seats do you expect the BJP would win in this electionIJ
* Absolute majority.
From economic blockade by the United Naga Council, unending insurgency, corruption, to unemployment of youths there is a huge anti-incumbency wave in the State in such a situation do you think your party will be able to cash in on this anti-incumbency wave against the Ibobi-led Congress GovernmentIJ What are your party’s strategies to deal with these issuesIJ
* Ibobi-led Government is a sinking ship under the weight its own of misdeeds, misgovernance, corruption and nepotism. The unending insurgency, corruption and rising unemployment in the State are because of mismanagement and lack of vision and direction at least during the last 15 years or so. The people of Manipur are truly tired of this Government and the BJP as a responsible political party offers its vision of inclusive and participatory governance as vehicle of solving unemployment in the State. The BJP also offers development, transparency and good governance to the people of Manipur.
There is widespread resentment among grass-root workers over selection of candidates. They alleged many qualified and winnable candidates were denied tickets. Some of your party leaders even expressed unhappiness over party ticket to a person charge sheeted by the NIA for link with militant organisation. Is it trueIJ How will you placate this widespread resentmentIJ Do you think people will vote to such candidatesIJ
* Regarding “widespread resentment”, this phrase is a misconception and it is not wholly true. In electoral politics, some resentments or displeasure may happen over allocation of party tickets from time to time especially when there is a huge upsurge of party ticket aspirants. As for the party, we did what best we could do based on our own research inputs on winnability.
Regarding the NIA related case connected with a BJP candidate, I am not in the know of it.
In the face of the over 3-month economic blockade on two National Highways by Naga groups, there is a blame-game between the State and Central Government. Who is responsible for the present humanitarianism crisis in the StateIJ What will be the impacts of this economic blockade on the pollsIJ
* Regarding the economic blockade, there is no blame game being played by the Central Government. All facts are in public domain. Whereas the Central Government has taken the initiative of sending additional Central forces to solve the impasse, the State Government is only playing the blame game. While the Central Government had initiated a tripartite dialogue, the State has failed to respond. Although the BJP believes in dialogue process for solutions to such impasses, the State has never initiated one.
This humanitarian crisis is purely a creation of Ibobi Singh Government with malafide intents. Bandhs or blockades of highways in a State are within the purview of “law and order” which is a State subject. The BJP Government at the Centre has done what best it could under the circumstances and it is only Ibobi Singh and his Government that is not cooperating and is not trying to solve the crisis. Unfortunately, this is just very bad politics by Ibobi and his Government.
The people of the State have clearly seen through the game-plan of Congress and the party will pay dearly in this election as the people have decided to give a befitting reply.If the impasse is not solved within the shortest possible time it will be an uphill task to conduct elections in the hill districts of Manipur.
Territorial integrity is a sensitive issue in the State. Naga People Front, a Nagaland-based political party, which openly supports to greater Nagalim demand, has a close relationship with the BJP at the Central level. The NPF is contesting in this election also. Will your party form a Government in case your party falls short in numberIJ
* As for the BJP, none less than our national president, Amit Shah ji has already spelt out that the “territorial integrity of the State of Manipur shall not be compromised under any circumstances”. We, in the State are committed to this stand, and we will stick to it. As for the NPF, it is solely their prerogative to spell out their own political agenda. The NPF being a political party, we will deal with the NPF politicallyas may deem fit when required.
Regarding formation of Government if it fall short in number, the question may not arise as yet - although it is still a hypothetical question, our party is quite sure that we will form the next Government in the State by our own with absolute majority.
Your party support imposition of AFSPA in Jammu & Kashmir and North-East. However, people in Manipur have been protesting against AFSPA for many years. If your party comes to the power, will you listen to the popular demand in Manipur and repeal the ActIJ
* It is true “AFSPA” is not popular in Manipur. As extraordinary situation demands extraordinary remedies, AFSPA is an extraordinary remedy given by the constitution. A responsible Government’s main task is to bring law and order under its control so that normalcy prevails. If peace and normalcy is returned to Manipur, development can happen at its normal pace and we can escape from the vicious cycle of violence and corruption. AFSPA will automatically leave Manipur once peace and development set into the State, the BJP offers that to the people of Manipur.
What is your opinion on Irom Sharmila Chanu and her newly formed party — People’s Resurgence and Justice AllianceIJ Do you see any possibility of Sharmila’s party emerging as a kingmaker after electionIJ
* I do not want to comment on Irom Chanu Sharmila and her newly formed political party. India being a democratic country, this new party has every right to express its political views. However, I feel she has many miles to go because politics is a serious game and she has to play it seriously. I also do not foresee Sharmila’s party as kingmaker after this election.