Prospect of BJP in Northeast brightens

 From Special Correspondent
Silchar, March 14: After the massive mandate for BJP in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand and the near possibility of formation of government in Goa and Manipur, saffron leaders of northeast are optimistic about the prospect of the party in the region. If the victories of BJP in UP and Uttarakhand are ascribed to the brickmanship of Amit Shah, the skill and maneuverability for the formation of government in Manipur goes to Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma. Himanta Biswa Sarma has been the main architect in bringing BJP to power in Assam for the first time in the elections of 2016.
In order to take the party to newer heights in northeast, North-East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) was formed on May 24, 2016 by Bharatiya Jata Party along with regiol political parties like ga People’s Front, Sikkim Democratic Front, People’s Party of Aruchal, Asom Ga Parishad and Bodoland People’s Front. The motive of the political front is to protect the interests of the people of the region as well as to unite all the non-Congress parties in Northeast India. Himanta Biswa Sarma, the convener of the front, is also, in fact, the main architect behind it.
The strategy adopted is to formulate policy with regard to the political equations and hopes of the people of the states as well as the diverse issues and problems affecting them. The confidence among the party leaders emating from the experiences of Assam and Manipur, according to political alysts, will go a long way in preparing a blueprint for electoral success.
As their next tryst with the electoral battle, the party has to be geared up for Tripura, Mizoram, Meghalaya and galand in 2018 and for Sikkim in 2019. The crucial battle for the party will be Tripura where it has been the left-bastion for long. After the defeat of Congress in the state of Tripura, Left Front has been in power for the last 24 years. Since the formation of the state in 1963, it has been ruled by Congress for long 18 years while CPM has been domint for almost 34 years. Interestingly, the state has witnessed three terms of Presidential rule also in between. Besides, it has also been under the rule of Jata Dal and Congress for Democracy for a short term.
It will therefore be a challenge for BJP to dislodge the Left ruled government of Manik Sarkar in Tripura who has the record of winning elections for three consecutive terms. Can he be out of power in his fourth battle? This is the big question. But, brimming with confidence about his victory in the next battle ahead, Manik Sarkar told media-persons in a recent interview in Agartala that people of Tripura will never be misled by false promises and tall-talks of BJP.
But, despite the brave face being put up by Manik Sarkar, BJP leaders have already started a sort of campaign to mobilize public opinion. Stalwarts like Ram Madhav, BJP tiol general secretary and in-charge northeastern states, Sarbanda Sonowal, Chief Minister of Assam, and other frontline leaders have virtually jumped into the fray. The massive demonstration against the Left Front Government recently saw huge public participation. The thrust of the attack on the Manik Sarkar Government was on the rising crime graph, mainly against the atrocities on women.
The organizatiol strength of the saffron party has seen a surge in recent past due to the disenchantment of people against the ruling party and its better performance in recently held assembly and local bodies elections. BJP leaders have girded up their loins to take advantage of the anti incumbency factor. The leadership has also begun to explore the possibility of forming an alliance with regiol parties like IPFT and INPT. Importantly, the tribals are domint and deciding factor in 18 of the 60 assembly seats of the state.
The statement of Biplob Deb, Tripura state BJP president, is also significant. He has gone on record on the basis of his political experiences to say that the party will not go for any kind of seat adjustment with any other party and fight the elections on its own strength to end the Left Front rule. From all accounts, the main contender against BJP to throw out Manik Sarkar Government will be Trimul Congress as Congress has lost its public base. It will, therefore, be interesting to watch how and on what strategy BJP will bring down the curtain on the 24 year rule of Left Front Government.