By Rabindra Nath Sinha
KOLKATA: Politically the Bharatiya Janata Party and administratively the Union ministry of home affairs (MHA) are still trying hard to install a popular ministry in restive Manipur ; but circumstances seem to have forced them to be in a state of readiness to extend President’s rule by six months with effect from August 13 and prolong the ministry-making efforts somewhat to make sure that the exercise is foolproof.
This is the assessment of a top functionary of a civil society organization (CSO) and a retired bureaucrat from whom IPA sought their views on the Centre’s decisions over the last four-five days. The retired bureaucrat added that the highly unsettled conditions through which Manipur has been passing since May 3, 2023 have considerably weakened BJP’s position and the party’s top brass has realized that a ministry under BJP’s leadership must have a clean image and earn people’s confidence right from the start. Only then can BJP hope to regain the lost ground.
Significantly, in the ministry-making efforts, the BJP top leadership is against involving the immediate past chief minister N Biren Singh and Assam’s chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who has had a say in Manipur affairs as part of his overall political responsibility for the north-east, but now several sensitive issues have dented his standing even in Assam and where Assembly elections are due early next year. It may sound paradoxical but it is a reality that Guwahati has in recent days been the venue for secret visits of a few Manipur BJP leaders for “politically crucial talks with those who matter to ensure that Kuki-Zos join the proposed ministry”.
Only after this exercise concludes satisfactorily will MHA move to reactivate the Assembly which is under suspended animation since February 13 when the state was brought under President’s rule – four days after Biren Singh’s resignation from the chief minister’s post on February 9. Among the select Manipur BJP leaders involved in this process is Speaker Satyabrata Singh, a front-runner for the chief minister’s post as BJP’s top leadership in New Delhi finds him non-controversial and a person who can perform. Other BJP MLAs and ex-ministers, whose names have been doing the rounds and figure in consultations include Radheshyam Singh, Biswajit Singh and Basanta Singh.
Back-channel talks with the Kuki-Zos assume importance against the backdrop of the resolution adopted on July 5 at Lamka at the initiative of an apex body of Kukis, Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), that no Kuki-Zo MLA should take part in any manner in ministry formation formalities. The resolution also made it clear that under no circumstances will the Kuki-Zos compromise on issues relating to “our ancestral land, culture, identity and political, social and economic rights”. The statement issued after the meeting, which was signed by KIM’s general secretary Khaikhohauh Gangte, mentioned that the resolution was endorsed by KIM’s federating units — Kuki Students’ Organisation, Kuki Khanglai Lawpmi, Kuki Christian Leader’ Forum, Kuki Women’s Union, Kuki Women’s Organisation for Human Rights and Kuki Chiefs’ Association. This shows their eagerness to prove they are united.
The business tentatively determined by the Centre for the monsoon session of Parliament scheduled for July 21 onwards includes a resolution, as an intention, to extend President’s rule in Manipur. If eventually, the Centre acts upon its intention, President’s rule will be extended for six months with effect from August 13. President’s rule under Article 356 (3) of the Constitution, by which the Governor assumes all administrative responsibilities, is for six months and can be extended every six months with the approval of Parliament for up to here years.
It is the format of an intention that speaks of the keen desire of the BJP leadership to have a popular ministry in place before six months expire on August 12. The two main tasks are : persuading the Kuki-Zo leadership to join the ministry ; even if by accepting their demands for office and secondly, selecting a capable, acceptable leader of the BJP legislature party. In all there are 10 Kuki-Zo MLAs, of whom seven belong to BJP.
When asked to comment on the evolving situation, president of All Manipur United Clubs’ Organisation (a CSO), Phreirojam Nando Luwang told IPA : “See, people of Manipur want a popular ministry as early as possible ; President’s rule has not made any real difference as far as people’s bread and butter issues are concerned. Free movement through National Highways 2 and 37, which connect the land-locked Imphal Valley to Nagaland and Assam respectively is still not possible. This is a major irritant and “those blocking free movement are not realizing how they are harassing the common man”, Luwang observed. Also, the Suspension of Operations (SoO) deal with Kuki insurgents has lapsed for all practical purposes. It did not serve any useful purpose but is still a talking point between MHA and Insurgent outfits. This is irrational, unfortunate, AMUCO’s president observed and stressed that only a popular ministry can intervene effectively.
The appointment of a new chief secretary by the Centre on July 16 has come as a surprise. The new incumbent is Puneet Kumar Goel of Agmut (Arunachal, Goa, Mizoram and UTs) cadre, who has replaced Prashant Kumar Singh of Manipur cadre. Singh took over in the second week of January, which means he remained in the post for just seven months. Informed sources told IPA Singh wanted to go back to New Delhi from where he had come. Goel, it is seen from available details, has held several positions in Goa and in New Delhi. He had spent just about two years in the late 1990s in Arunachal. His immediate priorities include execution of schemes to facilitate return of internally displaced persons, step up recovery of looted arms and enforce free movement through NH 2 and 37. (IPA Service)
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