When O Ibobi Singh donned the mantle of Manipur chief minister in 2002, few doubted his political acumen. But given Manipur’s history of political instability, ethnic problems and decades old insurgency, many were sceptical about his government’s smooth sailing.
Ibobi proved everyone wrong by completing not one but two successive terms. Even now, a fragmented opposition has possibly made his task easy.
The opposition parties allege the Congress under Ibobi has failed miserably on all fronts, particularly law and order and development. But the Congress’ guarded approach to the ‘Naga issue’ could very well make up for its ‘underperformance’.
One of the Naga rebels’ most contentious demands is the creation of a unified homeland for the Nagas by slicing off the Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur besides Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Manipur will be literally reduced to one fifth of what it is today if the rebels’ dream comes true.
Ibobi knows well that there are noissues greater than this to the Meiteis (Manipuris). So, when Naga rebel leader Thuingaleng Muivah wanted to visit his native village Somdal in Manipur a couple of years back, Ibobi defied even his central leadership to resist the visit.
The Meiteis-dominated Imphal valley has been a happy-hunting ground for Congress over the years. “His leadership and focus on developing rural areas will stand our party in good stead,” Pradesh Congress president, Gaikhangam said. He claimed his party would improve upon the 30 seats it had won in 2007.
Knowing the strength of Congress, five opposition parties including Manipur People’s Party, NCP, RJD, JD (U) and CPI (M) have united this election to form the People’s Democratic Front in a bid to loosen Congress’ grip on the valley. Their hopes of dismantling the ruling party rest on whether Manipur’s 1,740,820 voters buy their slogan of change.
Trinamool Congress, a new entrant, is also banking on this change, to throw up a challenge to Congress, if not to dislodge it. However, the buzz is that Congress will do a hat-trick, with or without support from other parties.
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