IMPHAL: As Manipur goes to polls on March 4 and 8, the Congress has virtually whipped up an anti-Naga mood in the Imphal Valley, which accounts for 40 of the 60 seats and where the Meiteis (Manipuris) are in large numbers.
By making it Meiteis versus Nagas, the Congress is trying to polarise voters. The party is on an aggressive campaign on two issues—the ongoing over-100-day economic blockade that is enforced by Manipur’s apex social organisation of the Nagas United Naga Council (UNC), and the Centre’s signing of the “Framework Agreement” with the Isak-Muivah faction of Naga insurgent group National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) in 2015.
The Congress is trying to convince the voters that the blockade was BJP-NSCN-IM brainchild. “They wanted to create unrest so that President’s rule is imposed in the state. The people of Manipur are no fools; they know their design,” Manipur Congress chief T N Haokip said.
CM Okram Ibobi Singh said Manipur has suffered every time BJP came to power in the Centre. Given the NSCN-IM’s demand for the creation of “Greater Nagaland”, the Meiteis are concerned over the state’s territorial integrity. If the Centre accedes to the demand, Manipur will be reduced to less than one fifth of what it is today.
Union minister Kiren Rijiju said, “A final decision on the Naga issue will be taken after consulting all stakeholders,” he said. The BJP also rubbished the allegations over blockade.