Aya Ram, gaya Ram culture has been all of sudden revived in Manipur as the Lok Sabha election approaches. Erstwhile leaders of MPP had rushed to the BJP. Perhaps they feel MPP has no future in Manipur politics. Or perhaps they feel BJP may return to power at the centre. It is the considered view of politically conscious people of Manipur that the party in power at the centre gains acceptability of voters. Simple voters heap a sigh of relief when the candidates they voted get closer to the ruling party. Voters openly encourage their representatives to switch to ruling side. If the anti-defection law was not in force the 60 member house in Manipur would see no opposition member. There had been Samata Government in Manipur. 11 MLAs from Congress (I) rushed to Samata and a three month Government was formed. That was a funny period. There were 33 Ministers. Even a simple function was attended by 11 cabinet ministers. They had nothing to do other than attending Government or public functions. Such Government was better off gone. Further continuation of such Government would have put Manipur in turmoil. Manipur needs a stable Government. Though there had been a rush to the BJP one does not see the possibility of BJP forming a Government at the centre. There is internal squabbling within the party. The party cannot project its prime ministerial candidate. That shows where the party stands. Politics is a game of patience. The rush to a party be it regional or national is untimed. When the right time comes there will be a reckoning. Moreover in Manipur style of election it is the individual charisma of the candidate that wins. People forget issues, policies and programmes of the parties during election. Leader like Govindas of Bishnupur and Shyamakumar of Andro have victory written on their foreheads. Ask them to try on any party they will win. Politics is a serious game. One must know where the weakness lies. Psephologist can declare whether a candidate will win or not long before the conduct of the election by studying the mood of the voters. If they can do, why not politicians should be able to weigh the mood of the voters. Unnecessarily they cause hardship to the family members and local people by jumping into the fray again and again. Always remember a serious game like politics should be played by wise politicians only. Not all are born lucky. Not all are born to win in electoral politics. Just analyse how many of the candidates ended up drawing a thud losing deposits. Many others finished second. In Manipur those who had won earlier in previous elections also cannot win. Then there are fools, who switch side as and when their leaders change political colours. Manipur style of election egg on defeated leaders to change party every time they lose an election. Defection done once or twice may be acceptable, but changing political parities like chameleons evokes fun. Chief Minister has rightly said one must not change political parties for the sake of remaining in political lime light.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/defection-galore/
