Ukhrul:
Manipur will see a tough fight in the second phase of elections on Saturday in 11 constituencies in the hilly areas of the Naga tribe-dominated state.
Over the past five years, the BJP has tried to reach out to the region, trying to bridge the gap between the state’s valley regions and the hills, which were once the center of bandhs and blockades.
The party is now trying to make inroads into the political bastion of its ally Naga People’s Front or NPF and Congress with its pitch of peace and development on the core issues of the Naga peace accord.
The splendid hills once resonated with the sound of gunshots but now a highway is being built to give better connectivity to Imphal to Ukhrul.
Riding on this development effort, the BJP is taking on ally NPF, which is fighting alone, and arch-rival Congress, in all 11 constituencies in Naga-dominated areas.
In Ukhrul, the BJP has fielded former national footballer Somatai Shaiza. He is trying to win over Christian dominated areas for the BJP.
Somatai said, “This time the BJP will form its government. So our people also want to be with the BJP and be part of the government. I thought politics is totally different from football but it is the same. Observe, analyze and execute.” From Shaza to NDTV.
But the Naga People’s Front will not give up its stronghold easily. This has raised the issue of delay in Naga peace talks and slow development in the Naga regions. Ram Muivah, a former bureaucrat, is its candidate from Ukhrul.
Ram Muivah told NDTV, “Ukhrul has no proper road, water, internet and electricity supply is lacking. And for us, the focus is still on the peace deal and NPF is the only party which is taking forward this agenda. Is.”
The sitting MLAs are from Congress but this time their campaign is less important.
Of the 11 constituencies in the Naga regions, in 2017, the NPF won four, the Congress four, the BJP one and the NPP one.
Ukhrul is the home district of NSCN(IM) chief Tha Muivah, who has not visited the region for decades, and has stalled peace talks over controversial demands for a separate flag and constitution.
“Every Naga feels bad that our leader cannot come home to Manipur at Muivah Ukhrul. So the solution to the Naga problem is a major issue for us,” said Chonchui resident, Chonchui.
Which way the wind blows in the Naga hills of Manipur can decide who will form the next government in this multi-cornered election battle. Many people say that successive state governments have failed to meet the basic needs over the years.
Doni, a youth from Ukhrul, said, “Providing basic needs is the moral responsibility of the people and it does not matter whether our MLA is from Congress, BJP or NPF. People should get facilities.”