Manipur relieved at poll announcement

Now there is no apprehension of President’s rule, says a Minister

There was a collective sigh of relief here when the Election Commission (EC) announced the dates for the Assembly polls, burying the possibility of a postponement and imposition of President’s rule in Manipur.

A Minister camping in Delhi told The Hindu that “now there is no apprehension of President’s rule”. There were fears of a postponement after the Home Ministry, in a letter to the EC on January 2, suggested that the polls be postponed in view of the ongoing economic blockade in the State.

Meeting with President

Subsequently, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and about 40 MLAs, including Ministers, rushed to Delhi. They called on President Pranab Mukherjee and Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi on Wednesday afternoon. The Minister said the meetings were scheduled before the announcement of the elections so they could not be cancelled.

The announcement of the elections has disappointed the BJP, which was hoping for imposition of President’s rule. “The election schedule may have been announced but considering the crippling economic blockade imposed by the United Naga Council, President’s rule can be imposed as there cannot be free and fair polling,” a senior BJP leader said.

Reacting to this, the Chief Minister said: “A majority of the people are against the BJP because of demonetisation and the Centre’s failure to end the economic blockade.”

Manipur High Court advocate A. Romenkumar said that “under the present circumstances, imposition of President’s rule in Manipur is very remote. After the S.R. Bommai case, the President’s act is subject to judicial review.” Any hasty action will go against the judgment, he added. Political circles are of the view that the blockade will not impact the elections.

Many Nagas, including church leaders, have been calling for an end to the blockade, terming it as an act against the people.