Returning after one week of extensive campaigning in Manipur tribal belts, Bhartiya Janata Party’s national vice-president for ST Morcha, Johnny G Rengma on Monday exuded confidence that BJP would win the Manipur elections with absolute majority.
Rengma, who was addressing media persons in Dimapur Monday, said: “I am confident that BJP will form the next government in Manipur with absolute majority,” and added BJP would usher in an era of peace and prosperity in the state once it comes to power.
While drawing comparison with election excesses in Nagaland to that of Manipur, Rengma said Nagaland Baptist Churches Council (NBCC) Clean Election Campaign should not only benefit Nagaland but it should too in Manipur. Rengma also added that EPIC cards were distributed to all voters in Manipur, suggesting that the election process of Manipur was much cleaner and thorough than Nagaland.
He was of the opinion that the clean election process in Manipur was unlike Nagaland and that the candidates in fray don’t have to spend much. “There were no mess (food/feast) in the election rallies,” he cited as an example.
Asked about Naga Peoples Front party, which is in alliance with BJP in Nagaland and is also contesting 15 seats in Manipur, Rengma maintained “NPF party should remain a good and people friendly party in Nagaland.” He opined that NPF had “antagonised and created” more divisions among the tribals (as non-Naga tribals also inhabit those areas) and went on to add that NPF cannot solve the Naga political problem in Manipur.
Tribal community, according to him, were smart enough and therefore BJP will win almost all the tribal reserved seats including some that are not reserved for tribals.
“NSCN (I-M) should understand the BJP-led government of India engagement with them to resolve the Naga political issue and refrain their involvement with certain political parties in the Manipur elections especially in the tribal areas,” he also stated.
He further maintained that with the installation of Bhartiya Janata Party government in Manipur would foster better relationship with Nagaland and Manipur not just at government level but people to people also.
In his opinion, change of government in Manipur was a foregone conclusion as “the wind of the BJP wave has cleared the doubts of the Manipur electorate.”
Meanwhile, he informed that the BJP was fighting alone in Manipur without any form of alliance thereby reiterating his earlier stand that BJP will win by majority votes.