Looking beyond UP and Punjab: BJP eyes Manipur as part of its ‘Cong-mukt Bharat’ | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Looking beyond UP and Punjab: BJP eyes Manipur as part of its ‘Cong-mukt Bharat’

Hindustan Times | By, New Delhi
Oct 22, 2016 12:59 PM IST

By targeting Manipur, the BJP hopes to land yet another blow to the Congress, cement its claims of being a truly national party, and open up doors for more Lok Sabha seats from the east in 2019.

Even as the bulk of political and media attention is devoted to the Uttar Pradesh and Punjab elections early next year, BJP will be investing higher in the Manipur elections -- to be held around the same time -- as a part of its wider push into the Northeast and its mission of a ‘Congress-mukt Bharat’.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with BJP president Amit Shah at public function in New Delhi on October 9, 2016.(PTI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi with BJP president Amit Shah at public function in New Delhi on October 9, 2016.(PTI)

After winning the Assam elections and becoming a part of the Arunachal government, the BJP national leadership is confident of scoring a hat-trick with Manipur.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The campaign is being spearheaded by Ram Madhav, the influential party general secretary who strategised the party victory in Assam and has been given charge of the Northeastern states.

Political sources told Hindustan Times that BJP believes Manipur is ripe for a change. Congress CM Okram Ibobi Singh has been in power since 2002, after winning three consecutive elections. The government now faces deep anti-incumbency, and the BJP suspects the party is being torn by internal factionalism. The party is also hoping to use its power at the Centre to promise the state’s electorate that having the same party lead the government in Imphal will yield more benefits.

The BJP also feels that the demographic mix in Manipur is suitable for expansion. Meiteis -- the dominant community in the state -- are primarily Hindus, whereas the tribal-dominated hills are primarily Christian. Forty of the 60 seats in the state assembly are in and around the valley, with Meitei population -- this will be the BJP’s key target even as it hopes to pick a few seats in the tribal pockets, party sources confirm.

But BJP faces a challenge. The central government signed a framework agreement with Naga rebels -- the NSCN (I-M). The Naga groups have traditionally demanded a greater Nagaland, which includes the Naga-speaking areas in Manipur. The demand has drawn fierce opposition from Manipur’s Meitei establishment and is an emotive issue in the state.

Top leaders admit it is a balancing act, but say they have committed that the territorial integrity of Manipur will not be compromised at any costs. This, they hope, will be enough to assuage the apprehensions of the Meiteis.

If the BJP game-plan succeeds, it will launch yet another blow to the Congress, cement BJP’s claims of being a truly national party, and open up doors for more Lok Sabha seats from the east in 2019. It will also be hugely symbolic that a state which has long seen a history of secessionist movement opts for a party that has long been associated with a version of strong Indian ‘nationalism’.

Unveiling 'Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Farmers Protest Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    author-default-90x90

    Prashant Jha is the Washington DC-based US correspondent of Hindustan Times. He is also the editor of HT Premium. Jha has earlier served as editor-views and national political editor/bureau chief of the paper. He is the author of How the BJP Wins: Inside India's Greatest Election Machine and Battles of the New Republic: A Contemporary History of Nepal.

SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 15, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On