IMPHAL: The writing is on the wall – Manipur residents, who are enduring a harrowing year of ethnic violence, don’t want the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies in power in state.
The Lok Sabha elections for the two seats in Manipur – Inner and Outer Manipur – unfolded amidst ongoing tensions between the valley-based Meiteis and the Zo-Kuki communities.
As reports of clashes, arsons, and kidnappings continue to plague the region, voters unequivocally voiced their dissatisfaction by ousting the BJP and its coalition partners from power.
Amidst this tumultuous landscape, the Congress emerged as the clear victor, securing both seats with comfortable margins.
Alfred Kanngam Arthur of the Congress secured the Outer Manipur (ST) seat by a commanding margin of over 83,000 votes.
In the Inner Manipur constituency, Congress’ Bimol Akoijam triumphed over BJP’s Th. Basantakumar Singh, a state minister, with a margin exceeding 1.09 lakh votes.
The Inner Manipur seat, predominantly comprising voters from the Meitei community and encompassing most valley districts, leaned heavily towards the Congress.
Akoijam’s campaign focused on holding the ruling BJP state government and the Centre accountable for the ongoing ethnic violence, resonating with voters dissatisfied by the BJP’s perceived indifference to the state’s plight.
In contrast, the Outer Manipur seat presented a unique challenge.
With divisions among the Kuki-Zo tribal communities and the Naga tribes, the Congress strategically emphasised on tribal solidarity, particularly targeting the Kuki-Zo electorate.
This approach, coupled with the resolution by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) urging the Kuki-Zo community not to contest nominations, proved effective, securing victory for the Congress.
The high voter turnout exceeding 70% in both constituencies also rebuffed claims of selective voting, underscoring broad-based support for the Congress.
While ethnic violence in Manipur persists, the electorate’s decisive mandate for the Congress raises hopes for greater attention to this pressing issue.
With both seats now in the Congress’s kitty, voters anticipate that their representatives will advocate effectively for addressing ethnic unrest, urging the Centre to prioritise the region’s stability, which has otherwise been neglected thus far.
