Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, who holds Home portfolio, is a good speaker. He was branded as Chinggi-Chandramani for his oratory skill by none other than late Deputy Chief Minister of Manipur I. Tompok Singh. Like MPP leader Dr. L. Chandramani, who had served the state Government at various level in the past, Gaikhangam’s oratory skill is also unmatched. Chandramani has facts and figures on finger tips. Gaikhangam’s skill lies in his ability to speak without disclosing anything. He keeps the secret between teeth and mouth. He does not utter the words that are not required. When the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohon Singh visited Manipur some time back the MPP workers paraded naked albeit at the precinct of the MPP office near Imphal Pologround unseen by others. The parade however was recorded by camera and shown on local channel. When Gaikhangam was asked by scribes to give his comment on the parade he began by smiling and said strangers would be hesitant to join the regional party as they would think it was mandatory for the new entrant to the party shed clothe. That evoked amusement even from the scribes. The Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde’s alleged words of caution against Gaikhangam for being media friendly and also for speaking words that were not in conformity with the line of thinking of the Home Ministry was uncalled for. If Gaikhangam spoke about the need for eviction of NSCN designated camp from Chandel it was demanded by situation. Moreover NSCN, which is engaged in peace talk with the Union Government, cannot operate in Manipur. For the cease fire is confined to Nagaland only. It cannot be extended beyond Nagaland. Manipur was burnt when the NDA Government led by BJP extended cease fire in NE region beyond Nagaland. Public memory is still fresh. There is apprehension of Manipur seeing that episode as the peace talk between NSCN and the Union Government is nearing to find a logical solution on the eve of Nagaland election slated for March next year. Manipur like other states in NE region had taken a hardened stand not to part away even an inch of land in the creation of another Nagaland. That feeling weighs heavily in the minds of leaders of all political parties including the century old Congress party. Unfortunately like other mortals leaders of political parties show the tendencies to forget all that happened one or two decades back. The mad rumblings against Gaikhangam will subside. The Union Government is cautioned against uttering words that may flare up communal tension in Manipur. The situation now calls for giving full support to the Ibobi led Congress Government in Manipur to enable it to face bravely the pressures that come from different angles. Any attempt to weaken the Government by punishing or scolding any of the ministerial colleagues will backfire. Gaikhangam did not cross the limit when he spoke what he said. Nothing should be done to clip his wings. He has become a true leader of Naga community. The state needs to produce more leaders of his stature to restore peace and communal harmony in the state. Nothing should be done to gag his mouth. His crafted words are interesting to hear.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/gaikhangams-oratory-skill-is-unmatched/
