Samata gets its first CM, irks BJP

Samata gets its first CM, irks BJP
NEERJA CHOWDHURY

NEW DELHI, FEB 14: The Samata Party is all set to have its first chief minister in place in Manipur soon, but the downfall of the Nipamacha ministry in Imphal has brought to the surface the simmering tensions between the Samata and the BJP.

The Samata spoilt the BJP's hopes of leading a government in Manipur by securing support from a large chunk of Manipur State Congress Party (MSCP). ``We have shown the BJP that we are not dependent on their charity,'' said a senior Samata leader today.

The BJP swallowed the bitter pill and declared here today that it would support the Samata-led government in the state.

It was only a month back that Home Minister L.K. Advani had made a case for dismissing the Nipamacha Singh ministry on grounds of national security and tried to secure the support of the Congress. The Congress highcommand had refused to play ball and 12 out of 13 of its MLAs led by Radhabinode Koijam, who had staked claim to form the government, deserted the Congress to join the Samata Party.

Advani is believed to have urged the Samata leaders not to join hands with Nipamacha Singh when Digvijay Singh, Minister of State for Railways, and Samata party president Jaya Jaitley called on him Monday evening. They are believed to have retorted that if the BJP could sup with Chaoba Singh -- Union Minister of State for Food Processing from the MSCP -- at the Centre, there was no reason why it should have qualms about Samata associating with the group in Imphal.

By the time the Samata leaders called on Advani, the party had pulled off the coup. ``We waited for a response from the BJP till Monday noon,'' said a Samata leader. ``But when nothing was forthcoming, we gave the go ahead to our people in Manipur to join hands with Nipamacha Singh's outfit.''

The Samata had staked its claim to the chief minister's post and George Fernandes had discussed the issue with Advani two days ago, sources said. The Samata party had 12 legislators and the BJP only 6. In Delhi, the BJP was ambivalent in its response and, in Imphal, it worked overtime to install its own man as CM.

Tension has also been brewing between the Samata and the BJP with regard to the Asthawan bypoll in Biharsharief, which falls within George Fernandes' parliamentary constituency. Ram Vilas Paswan's new party has fielded a candidate against the Samata. Samata leaders suspect that Paswan has been nudged on by the BJP leaders.

A few days back, the Samata Party, along with the BJP and a breakaway group of the MSCP and some others, had formed a front with a view to dislodging the Chief Minister. But who would head the front could not be decided. Radhabinode Koijam dumped the BJP and joined hands with the common enemy, Nipamacha Singh, to become a contender for the chief ministership. The BJP had hoped to lead the government and install its leader R.K. Dorendra Singh in the hot seat.

In the highly fractured politics of Manipur, where the legislators change parties and parties change names faster than you can pronounce them, and the drug mafia finances political parties, the new government is not expected to last long. The developments in Imphal could also influence Assam elections due in a couple of months.

As the Samata Party is finally going to make its debut as the ruling party in a state capital, the last few weeks' developments have come as a setback for both the major parties, the BJP and the Congress.