The BJP is forging ahead in the seven north eastern states. Its starting point was the most important state in the region, Assam. One doubts if even Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected his party to win such a massive victory in the disturbed state where ULFA militants’ guns have not yet been spiked. The BJP has learnt from its success two things. Its success in Assam was largely due to its alliance with the regional parties, the Asom Gana Parishad and the Bodo Peoples’ Front. Regional agenda came to the forefront. The BJP kept its national and Hindutva identity hidden. What matters most is an elusive factor called sub-nationalism.
Success in Assam has kept the BJP busy in the last few months building up anti-Congress formations. It has engaged in a campaign to oust the ruling Congress from Meghalaya, Manipur and Mizoram. In Tripura, the adversary is the CPI (M). Elections are coming in Mizoram, Meghalaya and Tripura in 2018. The BJP is allying itself with regional outfits in these states. The Northeast Democratic Alliance (NEDA) has been formed which is a local variant of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The NEDA comprises ten parties and has roped in ethnic groups. The region elects 25 MPs. The political atlas of the northeast may soon change with the Congress bowing out of four states. Okram Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister of Manipur for three terms, will have to hang up his boots maybe. With the largest number of militant groups rampaging in the state, economic blockades and clashes between the hills and valley, Manipur’s political future is uncertain. Such instability merely threatens the Northeast’s economic development which should be top priority.