TREADING THE FAULT LINES

Ethnic divide, insurgent threats, AFSPA, unemployment, difficult allies—the ruling BJP and rival Congress face multiple issues and new challenger NPP in elections to this border state

- KAUSHIK DEKA

BJP

CM contenders: N. Biren Singh, 61; Govindas Konthoujam Singh, 58; Thongam Biswajit Singh, 47 Alliance partner: Naga People’s Front (NPF), but both are contesting separately

STRENGTHS

• Peace in Manipur in the past five years

• CM Biren Singh’s outreach programme to bridge the gap between hills

• Organisational and financial strength of the party

CHALLENGES

• Public discontent over poor infrastructure, unemployment.

• Disgruntled ticket seekers may sabotage the chances of BJP candidates

• Infighting over CM’s post

On a sunny February morning, occasionally swept by a cold breeze, Manipur chief minister N. Biren Singh’s convoy left for Saikul assembly constituency in Kangpokpi district, 35 km from state capital Imphal. The cavalcade moved slowly, taking nearly two hours to reach Saikul, a Kuki-dominated area where Singh was to campaign for BJP candidate Yamthong Haokip, a Congress import from last November. Despite the unpaved, potholed stretches along the way, Singh’s address to the 700-strong gathering in Saikul did not promise new roads. Instead, he warned militants not to disturb peace which, he claims, has prevailed in Manipur since the BJP came to power in 2017. “If PM Modi can strike terror camps in Balakot, the same can be done against other outfits involved in terrorism,” thundered the chief minister.