Hadn’t there been Covid-19 pandemic, people of the state might see the election euphoria, with aspirant candidates gearing up their election campaign. Saying so, there are report of aspirant candidates organising small meeting, gathering etc. campaigning for their election. The way photos of gatherings organised by political party leader showed disrespect to the government’s order for following the Covid-19 behaviors, but than, for those in power it is easy to silence any authority or common man from direct criticism to such kind. The other day saw a photo being uploaded at social media at which large number of people gathered, have a grand feast allegedly hosted by the president of the BJP Manipur Pradesh at her residence. The president A. Sarda Devi hails from Yaiskul Assembly constituency and the constituency already have a BJP MLA , who is also serving as a Minister in the BJP led government in the state. One wander on why such a grand feast for a large number of people is necessary when the government is appealing the people to follow the Covid-19 appropriate behavior. If the photo uploaded at Social media platform where large number of people are seen gathered at the grand feast at the residence of A Sarda Devi happens to be true, then it is loud and clear that Sarda Devi, the president of the State BJP is all set to take a major role in the game of throne in the upcoming election. As of now, it is too early to predict the fate of the BJP MLA who is also a Minister from Yaiskul Assembly constituency.
The much talked about issue between the political observers today is that, will N. Biren Singh the present Chief Minister will be able to continue to serve as the Chief Minister in the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly , if suppose the BJP gets maximum number of seat. For this term, everything seems to be settled, as the Chief Minister had successfully settled the issue with the help of the central leadership. But then, when one visited to the Thongju Assembly Constituency, the worker of works Minister Th, Biswajit have been working for regaining of the seat with a strong belief that Biswajit will be the Chief Minister. Not only Biswajit, but the same is with the die-hard workers of BJP MLA Y. Khemchand, who is the speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly. Political observers are of the view that if the tussle for Chief Minister continue among the BJP legislature, center may appoint any elected members who are loyal to the party.
The entry of former Congress state president Govindas Konthoujam is now again adding a flavour to the game of throne among the state BJP. His joining the party by quitting the top post of the opposition congress party indicated his entry to the race for the Chief Ministerial candidate.
What happened during the last 4 years of N. Biren Singh led government is all in the public platform? Everyone knows the rise of dissident MLAs demanding for change of the Chief Minister. The central leadership of the BJP had hard times consoling the BJP MLAs and successfully manage to silence them.
One cannot open A. Sarda Devi mind and read what she has been thinking to strengthen the BJP party, but her direct reply to reporter’s query , in connection with the announcement of the Chief Ministerial candidate by a TV Channel reflected the game of throne that the people are likely to witness after the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly Election.
But then, not every speculation happens. Present Chief Minister N. Biren Singh had already proven his capacity of sticking to his position. But then, in the political theatre of BJP alone, there are many representatives of equal status. How he will play in the game of throne in the next assembly election is something we are going to watch.
But saying so the Manipur politics will never be the fair game. It will never be the same with British author Jeffrey Archer’s fiction story “First among the equal”. It will be something else , may be dark saga of democracy.