GUWAHATI: BJP is making all out effort to win Manipur as the party’s next conquest in North East India, after the state of Assam.
The trouble-torn Manipur, saddled with problems of insurgency and growing unemployment among youth, is yearning for a change.
The three-time Congress Chief Minister Okram Ibobi is facing a huge anti-incumbency wave with astronomical inflation of food items and cooking gas.
The saffron brigade is banking that anti-incumbency sentiment and huge rise of prices of essential commodities will turn voters towards them.
Manipur goes to polls early next year, and BJP has already started its preparedness for the polls as nearly every fortnight a central minister is making a trip to the state.
Party President Amit Shah kicked off the poll campaign in the capital town of Imphal on September and the state now has become a centre of focus for the saffron party.
“Manipur is in complete disarray, 15 years of rule of Congress has ruined the state. Basic human needs like prices of cooking gas have touched the roof. People are yearning for a change,” a senior state BJP leader said.
However, states like Manipur might turn out to be tricky state for party to handle, especially on the Greater Nagaland issue.
It is a highly emotive issue for Manipuri’s and NDA government stand on the issue is not yet known though the historic accord was signed with Naga leaders last year.
Other regional parties like All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) also made its presence felt in the state in last assembly elections winning as many as seven seats.
But, after initial euphoria the party has lost touch with ground situation. In all probability, it will be fight between Congress and BJP for the 60 seats of the assembly.
The level of excitement and tension is clear in the party and region as the state of Manipur is moving closer towards the year’s elections. (UNI)
