When the sun rises above the distant mountains and green valley on Saturday, the unsettled 2.8 million people of Manipur will have to face between hopes and dreams as the State holds its 11th Manipur State Assembly Election, 2017.
Amid four months economic blockade on the two national highways by the Naga groups and unflattering political parties this election would be more of a dilemma between the devil and the deep blue sea.
As the countdown begins for the first phase, this election will be the biggest ever battle for the Okram Ibobi Singh led Congress Government, who rules the State for 15 years consecutively and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), who is now dreaming of a big push forward for the first time ever in this remote and untamed region.
While Ibobi Singh will be fighting an anti-incumbency sentiment amid charges of highly corruption against him and the Government, underdevelopment, unending economic blockade, AFSPA, issues of territorial integrity, and Centre-NSCN-IM’s frame work agreement, his efforts to bring Capitol project to the State, handing over of Kangla Fort to Manipur public from Assam Rifles after more than a 100 years, construction of lone overfly bridge in the heart of Imphal city, Ema Keithel (Women’s market), widening of roads in major areas of Imphal city and regular supply of power could be major plus points of the ruling party.
On the other hand, the BJP will show its strength on the image of Modi’s popularity and his clean image, special attention on North-Eastern States, Sports University, promises of corrupt-free State, solving of urea problems for farmers and new schemes launched by the Centre will be major vote planks even though most of its front-runners are defectors from other parties, particularly the Congress.
Of the State Assembly’s 60 seats, 38 which are in the valley (29 General and one Scheduled Caste seat — Sekmai AC and eight seats for Scheduled Tribe), will be going for polls on the first phase on March 4.
The first phase will see popular politicians of the State, including former Union Minister and also former State BJP president Thounaojam Chaoba Singh from Nambol constituency, saffron party’s lone MlA Th Biswajit from Thongju constituency, sitting MlA but recently joined with BJP, Nongthongbam Biren from Heingang constituency and Y. Irabot from Wangkhei in the BJP party.
From the Congress, Manipur’s veteran Congress leader and sitting Cabinet Minister under Ibobi Government, Konthoujam Govindas from Bishnupur constituency, sitting Cabinet Minister Irengbam Hemochandra from Singjamei, sitting MlA Kangujam Ranjit form Sugunu, and lone woman Cabinet Minister Akoijam Mirabai Devi from Patsoi constituency will contest during the first phase. In all 168 candidates, including six women from 14 political parties will seal their fate for 38 seats during the first phase.
It may be mentioned that during 10th State Assembly election in 2012, the Congress, which had contested in all 60 seats, won 42, whereas, the BJP, which contested in 19 seats, settled with zero.
The Indian National Congress, the BJP, People’s Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA), the left Democratic Front (lDF), the Naga People’s Front (NPF), lok Janshakti Party, All India Trinamool Congress, Manipur’s oldest regional party — MPP, CPI and CPI-M are the main political parties in the fray.
Even though the final result will be known only after March 11, State’s political observers and analysis believe that 11th Manipur Assembly Election will be the biggest ever political battle and both the main contenders — Congress and BJP will try to grasp for theirs’ next Government. Given the polarisation of the electorate in the State today, the possibility of a hung Assembly is also not at all remote. One observer from Manipur told The Pioneer that even if BJP could win 20 seats only, they are very much likely to form the next Government in Manipur.