LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: With victory over Zila Parishad Adhaksha, is BJP growing stronger in Manipur?

Date: October 31, 2017

To

The Editor, 

TNT- The Northeast Today

Respected Editor,

The land of jewels seems to be decked by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) once again. All six Zila Parishad Adhaksha posts were bagged by the saffron party strengthening its base in Manipur.  Nongthombam Biren Singh, the current Chief Minister of Manipur earlier this year won the trust vote which was decided in a floor test of 32-27 defeating the Indian National Congress (INC).

These are just warning signals of the BJP's entry into the Northeastern region where the votes have partly always been unpredictable. Marred by massive unemployment, urban-rural divide and insurgent splinter groups, the 'Act East Policy' has not shown substantial results but what would define the real litmus test for the BJP in the other states such as Mizoram and Meghalaya is the 'Beef ban' and fear of conversion. With Meghalaya also going to polls in the coming months, it will be interesting to see if the saffron party can have a foothold in the state.

As interesting as it may seem, the coming bandwagon of the BJP should not be taken lightly with the demand of leadership change among the youth. The people, more particularly the youth are disenchanted with previous governments and change is what is most needed at this crucial time. Frustration seems to be a running feeling with most people who demand development and with voters now keener on issues such as employment rather than the usual "run of the mill" issues, a government that can deliver will outlast and outclass the rest.

Yours faithfully, 

M Nongmaithem