The recent celebrations in parts of Imphal following the formation of a new BJP-led government in Manipur raise a troubling and important question: what exactly is being celebrated?
Manipur already had an elected government. That government, led by the BJP, failed to resolve the most serious ethnic and political crisis the state has witnessed in decades.
Violence continued, trust collapsed, and ultimately President’s Rule was imposed. Many people hoped that President’s Rule—free from partisan compulsions—would help stabilise the situation and restore peace. That hope, too, was largely unmet.
In the aftermath, public anger and frustration were unmistakable. Large sections of the population, particularly among the Meitei community, openly questioned the BJP’s role and credibility.
This loss of trust was reflected in the Lok Sabha elections, where the Congress emerged victorious. For a moment, it appeared that the BJP had become politically unacceptable in the public imagination of Manipur.
Yet today, with the formation of a new BJP-led government under new leadership, there is visible celebration in the heart of the city. This contradiction demands explanation.
Do people still trust the BJP as a party but reject the leadership of the previous government? Do they believe that the problem lay only with N. Biren Singh and not with the BJP itself? Is there a continuing faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi or Home Minister Amit Shah, even as confidence in the state leadership eroded? Or are these celebrations limited to party workers, loyal voters, and those with personal or political interests tied to the ruling establishment?
For the BJP and its lawmakers, restoring an elected government before the general elections is undoubtedly crucial. It signals organisational strength and helps rebuild political legitimacy. But for the people of Manipur, the priority is far more basic and urgent: an end to the conflict, restoration of peace, and rebuilding of trust between communities.
A new government, especially one likely to function only for a short period before the Model Code of Conduct comes into force, raises further doubts. Can such a government realistically resolve a deep-rooted ethnic and political conflict within months? If not, how different will it be from the previous administration? If leadership change alone does not translate into concrete peace measures, then whether the chief minister is Biren Singh or someone else becomes largely irrelevant.
This is why the public celebration feels misplaced to many. The formation of a new government is being treated as a major achievement, almost as a prize won. But for ordinary citizens who have suffered displacement, fear, and loss, the larger dream is not political rearrangement—it is peace.
A new government may be good news for BJP lawmakers and party workers. It may restore morale within the organisation. But for the general masses, especially those who genuinely love Manipur, celebration without resolution feels hollow.
If the new government cannot end the conflict, cannot restore trust, and cannot guarantee safety, then there is little reason for public jubilation. Governance is not about occupying power before elections; it is about responsibility during crisis.
Until peace returns to Manipur, any celebration of political formation risks sounding disconnected from the lived reality of the people.
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