The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has emerged as the single largest party in Manipur with a majority for the first time in its history. The politics of peace-reconciliation, the politics of power-resources and the Targeted State Scheme have helped a lot in achieving this goal.
In Manipur, the BJP won 32 of the 60 seats. The opposition Congress was reduced to just five seats in its worst ever performance, while it was the single largest party in 2017. However, three-time chief minister O Ibobi Singh won from Thoubal seat.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) won six seats and the National People’s Party (NPP) seven. Naga People’s Front got five seats. JD(U) did not win in the last election. The Kuki People’s Alliance has won two seats. Independent candidates won three seats.
BJP’s continuous expansion
In 2017, the BJP was second only to the Congress in terms of seats, but remained ahead in forming alliances and forming the government. Former Congress leader N Biren Singh was made the Chief Minister of the state by BJP. In five years, the BJP expanded its strength in the state. The BJP is now a de facto national party that has gone far beyond its traditional strongholds in North and West India.
Politics of power and resources worked
The first is the politics of power and resources. The BJP used the term “double-engine” to show the benefits of having the same party in power at the Center and in the state. This resulted in greater gains in the smaller states of the Northeast than anywhere else. A good message was sent about the coordination between the national and state government and speeding up development works.
BJP cashed in on rebellion and discontent
Conducting elections in Manipur and Nagaland is expensive, on a per capita basis, compared to other parts of the country. It also helps feed information to intelligence agencies, especially in areas that have long witnessed insurgency and discontent. BJP benefited in this case. However, it would not be correct to attribute this victory only to the ruling party at the Centre.