With Assembly elections in five states, four of them look set to vote BJP in power. Already dominating in Uttar Pradesh, the BJP looks set to retain supremacy in the north eastern state of Manipur.
We take a look at how BJP looks set to prevail in Manipur again.
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Peace and Stability
Congress regime under Okram Ibobi Singh, in Manipur was marked by bandhs, blockades and a sharp rise in extra-judicial killings. However, since BJP came to power the last five years have been considerably peaceful in Manipur.
While the situation began to improve pre-2017, the BJP came to power at the right time, and has been able to use this transition to its advantage.
Weak Opposition.
Congress has struggled to keep itself as a strong opposition for the last five years. Its MLA base has dwindled from 27 to 13.
A rampant defections and a lack of leadership, meant it was a particularly weakened Congress that contested 2022.
No Major Issue.
While the 2017 polls in Manipur were marred by bandhs, blockades and a widening rift between hill and the valley, there was no issue that polarised voters in the last five years.
In 2017, the Inner Line Permit demand raised by Meiteis and the government’s bid to bring three contentious “anti-tribal” Bills in 2015, the creation of seven new districts in the hill areas had caused tension. All these were used by BJP to their advantage.
In contrast, the Opposition could not pick up a single issue that could be a poll plank for them to fight the election on.
Clever Campaigning.
A number of initiatives like Go To Hills, Hill leaders Day, in a bid to smoothen the long standing gap between the Meitei-dominated hills and the tribal valley, worked in BJP’s favour.
While the impact of these initiatives remains ambiguous on the ground, there is no denying that the social gap between the hills and the valleys has been reduced. While in 2017, the party won only one (out of 20) seats in the hills, there is a marked improvement in 2022, with them leading in hill constituencies like Nungba, Henglep and Chandel.
Centre Power.
Manipur like many small states of the Northeast region incline towards the party which is in power at the Centre.
With the BJP being at the helm, the party becomes an easier and safer choice for voters in Manipur.
