Biren Singh-led BJP government highlights development agenda to woo voters

The N Biren Singh-led BJP government in Manipur, which has been maintaining a fragile equilibrium, having seen several MLAs switching loyalties and several others rejoining the coalition over the course of its five-year term, is gearing up for the assembly elections due next year by highlighting the development agenda, its success in weaving a pact between the people in the hills and those in the valley and its ability to curb the endless blockades which have always haunted the state.

The main partner in the coalition, the BJP, which had won 21 of the 60 seats in the 2017 assembly polls, is training its sights on securing a two-thirds majority as it aspires to form a government on its own, replicating its Assam win. Visits by the BJP brass have started with Union Commerce & Industries Minister Piyush Goyal visiting Manipur, followed by Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) national president Tejasvi Surya who was in the state on Tuesday.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah laid the foundation stone virtually for setting up the Rani Gaidinliu Tribal Freedom Fighters Museum at Luangkao village in Tamenglong districtand exuded confidence that the BJP will return to power in Manipur. He said the BJP-led government has restored peace in the state which had witnessed terrorism for several years.As part of the party's development agenda, Shah said: "A sports university is coming up in the state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will soon inaugurate a new assembly building." Shah said that prior to the Biren Singh government, Manipur witnessed many bandhs and blockade.


Congress holding ground
The Opposition Congress, which still holds considerable sway in the state, has launched a digital platform -- Sarkar Taribra -- to counter the BJP-led government's "Chief Ministerda Haisi" programme. The party is confident that Congress will come back to power as there is strong anti-incumbency.

While 'Sarkar Taribra' means 'Is the government listening?', 'Chief Ministerda Haisi' means 'let's speak with the chief minister'.

While the BJP is projecting the cementing of the divide between people in the valley and in the hills as its major achievement, the Congress is raking up the issue of law and order and highlighting the November 13 militant attack in Churachandpur district on an Assam Rifles convoy resulting in the death of an Assam Rifles Colonel, his two family members and four jawans.

Political parties are also raking up the issue of the killing of influential tribal leader and social activist Athuan Abonmai on September 22 in Tamenglong district.