BJP Will Find It Difficult To Retain Power On Its Own In Manipur

With the Naga People’s Front angry over the Mon massacre, the BJP will find it difficult to retain power on its own in Manipur

- Rabi Banerjee

EVERYONE IS FLYING SOLO this time in Manipur.

In a major blow to the ruling BJP, one of its main allies in the North-East Democratic Alliance—the Naga People’s Front (NPF)—has decided to fight alone in 15 seats that have a Naga population in Manipur. Of the 15, 11 are dominated by Nagas, and if the BJP’s alliance with the NPF had remained, it could have swept the polls.

Manipur has 60 assembly seats, of which 40 are in the valley and the rest in the hills. Apart from the Hindu Meitis, two major tribes have their presence in the valley and the hill districts—Kukis and Nagas, both of which are Christians, but follow different sects. Kukis belong to the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, whereas the Nagas belong to the Council of Baptist Churches in Northeast India. Both the tribes have often resorted to violence over land and other social disputes in the hill districts.

The Kukis have been Congress supporters, with the community producing many a Congress stalwart. To counter that, the Nagas found a political ally in the BJP. The NPF has been extending crucial support to the BJP-led government in Manipur for five years. It was thanks to the NPF that the N. Biren Singh government managed to retain power as it came under fire from within the party and from its other ally, the National People’s Party.