Lotus Blooms In Manipur

Creating history, Lotus has blossomed in The Land of Jewels. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been successful in overthrowing the Congress, which was holding the rein of power in the state for the past 15 years, in the 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly election of 2017. The saffron party finally has formed the new government in Manipur forming an alliance with some smaller regional parties. Northeast Today brings out more:

- Jimmy Levion

​In the recently concluded assembly elections in Manipur, BJP won 21 seats to come a distant second to the Congress which won 28 seats in a House of 60 seats. However, Nongthombam Biren Singh of BJP, a former minister in Ibobi Singh-led Congress regime, was sworn in as the 20th Chief Minister of the state. Although the saffron party was too short of the majority mark, it “successfully” ousted Ibobi Singh from power to form the government.

The BJP managed to gain upper hand by forming an alliance with non-Congress parties such as the National People’s Party (NPP) and Naga People’s Front (NPF), Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), All India Trinamool Congress and Independent.

“The reason why people chose BJP this time is very simple. People of Manipur have wanted a change in the state for a long time. They have had enough of Congress. During the 15 years of rule what has the Congress done? Look at the infrastructure. Roads, especially in the Hills, are pathetic. I hope the new Chief Minister N Biren will deliver what he has promised “equal development in Hills and Valley,” says Kachangbung Lamlee Kamei, who is pursuing law at the DU Law Centre, New Delhi. 

The Congress party fell short three seats to form the government in the state. The people’s mandate was a close call for the Congress party which has been voted to power for three consecutive terms with the BJP securing an impressive 21 seats.