President’s rule is probably going to last till the next general assembly election in Manipur. The prospects of the BJP returning to power and forming a new government appear uncertain and increasingly slim.
The BJP would like to continue ruling Manipur. The BJP leaders in Manipur are reported to be engaged in an internal power struggle, and its MLA has been competing for the position of Chief Minister.
The public has a hunch that the ongoing dispute between Kuki and Meitei may not be resolved until the next general election. Many believe the issue might be deliberately prolonged and used as a central piece of election propaganda by those in power. BJP has suffered a significant loss of image and public trust in Manipur due to its failure to resolve the ongoing crisis promptly.
As a result, public confidence in the party has eroded, leading to a Congress victory in the Lok Sabha election, a major setback for BJP in its stronghold. In the state, the BJP lost both its respect and trustworthiness. Reviving and restoring public confidence is a crucial matter in the party.
The only viable way for the BJP to win over the public’s support is to deliver what people demand: resolving the ongoing conflict promptly and taking decisive action to protect Manipur’s integrity and unity.
But it is unlikely to act swiftly. Regaining public trust, resolving the conflict, and reviving its political strength may all become part of a carefully timed strategy. For the party, the upcoming election could serve as a critical moment to attempt them all simultaneously. Public trust in the BJP has eroded, with many people blaming the party for failing to defend Manipur and save lives.
This has raised a pressing question among the public: is the ongoing conflict being left unresolved despite the possibility of resolution as a political ploy to help the BJP win the next election? Many have heard some BJP leaders repeatedly assure that Manipur’s integrity will not be compromised and the demand for Kuki’s Union Territory is not acceptable.
It’s hard to tell how sincere or committed they are. Even if they stand by these assurances, the real question is in which context? Is it truly about peace and unity, or is it a calculated move to revive the BJP image, regain public trust, and tap into people’s emotions as a core election strategy?
That’s the speculation spreading across every corner of the state. Is that why the conflict remains unresolved—because they are deliberately keeping it alive, intending to use it later as an election strategy and a tool to retain power?
People are protesting, revolting, and resisting to protect the integrity of Manipur. This ongoing conflict is rooted in the desire to safeguard the state’s unity, and its future, and to address the issue of illegal immigration. If the BJP aligns its promises with these core public concerns, there’s a strong chance that people may be swayed by their narrative.
By appearing to fulfil the long-standing demands of the people, it could become much easier for the BJP to regain public trust and consolidate its power. Therefore, the party that can serve the interests of the people will become a hero in the state.
But the real question is: who has the power to resolve it, the ruling party or the opposition?
It’s the BJP. If they succeed in resolving the crisis, they could easily reclaim public support, regardless of the suffering and trauma people have endured over the past three years. The public might forgive the past and embrace a narrative of resolution and hope. In that sense, the BJP could rebrand itself as the saviour.
The question that everyone has been asking is whether they are keeping us waiting until the next election to settle it in their favour. In the current political scenario, Congress is gaining momentum in Manipur, and the BJP is well aware of it. For all parties, power and governance are vital.
Instead of acting in the best interest of the public, each party is working for themselves. They will point fingers at one another in an attempt to gain political advantage from each error. It is their nature.
Is politics playing a role in the Manipur crisis? Many believe it is, and that it’s one of the main reasons the conflict has been unresolved for so long. Political interests, power struggles, and strategies seem to be standing in the way of a genuine and timely resolution.
It seems unlikely to me that a new government will be formed before the next general election. If that were to happen, full blame would fall squarely on the BJP. However, with President’s Rule now imposed, the BJP is not facing the same level of criticism as it did when the Biren-led government was in power.
Public outrage has somewhat subsided, and the intensity of blame directed at the party has noticeably reduced. After all, many understand that the central government, which is led by the BJP, has complete control over everything that occurs in the state. Technically, there is no BJP government in the state from the public’s perspective.
But the Governor, who now oversees the state under the President’s Rule, is appointed by the President, who acts on the advice of the BJP-led central government. For now, it seems that people sort of forget about the BJP for a while.
Still, there’s a strong sense of anticipation that central leaders will make every possible move to rebuild their image and regain power in Manipur in preparation for the upcoming general election, most likely by resolving the crisis.
Additionally, this may be the BJP’s only real opportunity to restore public trust, rebuild its credibility, and secure the party’s survival in the state. That makes the upcoming general election, and a clear, convincing promise, critical. And the BJP understands what exactly the people want and what steps need to be taken next. In the end, it’s the public that risks being taken for granted.
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