Prior to this, the nomination papers of another Naga, the Congress candidate FrancisNgajokjpa, who is also a sitting minister, were rejected due to 'technical reasons'. And in the end, a Kukicandidate of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has been banned by the UKLF from contesting the elections.That leaves the Naga candidate of the BJP in the fray and he is already being projected as a winner. The NSCN-IMhas had an 'understanding' with the BJP since the Assembly elections in Nagaland in February 2003.
The situation in Manipur remains extremely disturbing not only because of the gradual tightening of the nooseby the terrorist outfits, but more because of the comprehensive lack of opposition to such strategies. An Armyofficial, speaking on conditions of anonymity from Imphal, indicating that coordinating conferences betweenthe Army, police and the para-military forces had been held to restore some control over the situation. Healso spoke of plans for redeployment of Forces in the state to prevent untoward incidents, but admitted thatit would be extremely difficult to convince the people to come to the polling booths on election day.
Dr. Nara Singh, a serving minister in the present state government and candidate of the Communist Party ofIndia (CPI) for the Inner Manipur constituency, speaking to this writer, admitted that, "as a result ofthe call for boycott, the electioneering process has been severely affected. Public rallies and door-to-doorcampaigning, an effective practice in smaller constituencies, have been affected as a result. Even thoughadequate security measures have been taken, the whole process has been disrupted."
There has been a demand for a postponement of the elections by the Manipur People's Party (MPP) till theelectoral process is completed in other states. The Communist Party of India (CPI) has asked its nationalsecretary to pressurize the Election Commission to postpone the elections. On the other hand, the state governmenthas submitted that the 79 companies of para-military forces allocated to the state are inadequate and aprovision of at least 200 companies should be made.
In a situation where the militants have made their intentions very clear, a fair poll does not seem to bewithin the realm of possibility. At the same time, however, a postponement of the electoral process will onlyserve the cause of the militants further, by underlining their authority. Manipur, today needs to send out astrong signal against the forces of disruption, and such a signal needs to come not only from the politicalparties, but from the common people as well, who will have to move out of their homes on April 20 and 26 tocast their votes. Perhaps no other state in India needs a fair and free poll than Manipur today.