Insurgency, political instability factors in electoral battle

IMPHAL: Manipur will vote for a new assembly in two phases on February 27 and March 3 under the shadow of political instability, with several legislators having switched sides, resigning, or being disqualified, over the past five years.

The polls come at a time when the state’s tenuous peace has been broken several times in skirmishes between security agencies and insurgent outfits. Seven people including Assam

Rifles officer Colonel Viplav Tripathi, his wife, and their fiveyear-old son were killed in an ambush on November 13. Measures will be taken to ensure a peaceful election, chief election commissioner Sushil Chandra said.

In 2017, the Congress emerged as the single largest party by winning 28 seats out in the 60-member assembly. Yet, the BJP, which won 21 seats, was able to form the government with the support of four National People’s Party MLAS, four lawmakers from Naga People’s

Front, one MLA each from the Trinamool Congress and Lok Janshakti Party, and one Independent.

The Congress then began rapidly losing ground in the state.

The ruling alliance is targeting a massive majority with the BJP along setting a target of 40-plus seats, according to party leaders. “Unemployment will be a key issue in this election,” political commentator Pradip Phanjoubam said. “It’s been an important problem for many years and the Covid-19 pandemic has made it worse.”

The state has witnessed several incidents of insurgent violence. As polls near, there's fear of poll-related violence taking place.

The state's largest community comprising 57% of the population have been demanding ST status for many years.

The unemployment rate is 9.5%, second highest in northeast.