"For the sake of political stability we can’t tolerate the most corrupt and inefficient government for ever. The Ibobi Government has to go. Already disenchantment has set in. People are fed up with his government."

CHAOBA SINGH has been a survivor. There are no two opinions amongst friends and foes alike. Every time he is written off, he bounces with a wry smile. And he has been the odd man out with a portly body, always at ease with himself and the surroundings.

His political innings saw Chaoba wrestling with the likes of Rishang Keishing and Nipamacha Singh over issues, over personal pique. Every time, he emerged on top, confounding critics and political analysts. And holding a mirror to contemporary Manipuri politics!

Talking to T Chaoba Singh is always a pleasure. NENA enjoyed the latest chat with the ‘self-confessed King maker’. It was as free wheeling as brain storming. From why he fell out with Nipamacha in MSCP to dislike that borders on congenital hatred of Ibobi Singh, an array of topics floated in. It is indeed fair to say the chat flirted with variety of issues, men and matters.

North East News Agency (NENA): Till some time back, you were a strong supporter of regional political parties. What prompted you to join the BJP? What made you to turn against the local parties you yourself have nurtured?

T Chaoba Singh (TCS): I always take decisions keeping the present situation of my State in mind. I did not leave the Congress and form the MSCP for the heck of power. The situation warranted it. The situation compelled me to take that extreme step. You see, I joined hands with the SPF as that was the need of the hour. Now as the SPF Government has failed to deliver the goods, I had no other alternative but to join the BJP.

NENA: Not convincing. sounds great but....?

TCS: Ok. Look this way. Manipur is going through a tough phase for the last couple of years. We had to face many extraordinary problems. Insurgency is on the rise. Development is at a standstill. Our economy is almost ruined. There was this threat to unity and integrity of Manipur. What are we supposed to do? Just keep blinking our eyes! No, we cannot. That is why we did what we did.

You see, as a politician and social worker, my job is to help the State over come its problems.

When I formed MSCP and dethroned Rishang Keishing, our aim was to protect territorial integrity of the State. People of the State at that time felt that Rishang Government was not doing enough to protect territorial integrity. The public pressure compelled me to leave the Congress and present them with a party that would fight any move to disturb the territorial integrity of the State till the last. And I am proud to say that under my leadership the MSCP fought two Assembly elections and on both the occasions, the MSCP performed creditably, while the big political parties had to bite the dust. It proves that the MSCP was on the right course and the Manipuri people accepted it.

After the last Assembly elections, when we got just seven seats, we were not in a position to call the shots. So, we joined the Secular Progressive Front (SPF) and offered political stability. Without us, the SPF was zero. It could not form the government. It is not political expediency but the need for political stability, that is why we left NDA and we joined the SPF.

Believe me, when I say there were other compelling reasons. For instance, the SPF, I mean, all its constituents decided not to encourage defections. No poaching in others territory. If every one opens the doors for everyone else, how can we ensure political stability? Without stability, how can the state progress. So, in its very resolution, the SPF vowed against political poaching.

But what happened? You know what happened. Forgetting its own promise, the Congress, the major partner of the SPF snatched away five of our MSCP MLAs. I kept quiet. I was seething with anger, of course. I kept quiet because political stability was our main concern, I remained silent.

But the Congress wrongly interpreted my silence, they saw it as our weakness. And, can you believe, the Congress kicked off efforts to finish us, to write political epitaph for us.

NENA: Really? How? What for?

TCS: You see SPF Government under Ibobi Singh was not functioning properly; we were the fiercest critics of his style of functioning. So, obviously, the Chief Minister must have thought - let me finish MSCP and hide my failures. He began luring our leaders, our workers to the Congress fold. You see, he did not realise that a weak MSCP would make the SPF weak too.

NENA: You have been critical of Ibobi sarkar. Why?

TCS: Ibobi’s is the worst government, Manipur has seen so far. More dangerous is the fact that the present State Government is totally under the control of the underground forces. It is not Ibobi but the underground, who are actually running the government. Development funds are being looted by the undergrounds with the connivance of the State Government.

Earlier, the underground used to extort money from the contractors; now they are openly coming to State secretariat and looting. Because of this loot, the condition is such that the State Government does not have funds even to repair a small pothole. Where is the State Government any way? It has become a silent grotesque spectator. If the situation continues unchecked for a couple of months, if the drift is not arrested, take it from me, Manipur will be completely destroyed, yes, economically and politically.

NENA: This is a serious charge. Do you have any proof...?

TCS: What proof do you need? What is happening in Manipur is an open secret. Everyone knows it. Apart from Ibobi, every Manipuri will tell you the same story. Hardly couple of months back, this government had come to power. But already disenchantment has set in. People are fed up with his government. They want this government to go at the earliest. And as representative of the people, I can’t remain a silent spectator. Now, my struggle is to remove this government and install BJP-led Government. At the earliest!

NENA: Another toppling game? What happens to about political stability?

TCS: I can assure you that the BJP Government will provide the much needed political stability to the State. And again, for the sake of political stability we can’t continue with the most corrupt and inefficient government for ever. The Ibobi Government has to go. No way.

NENA: But what about the development of the State?

T. Chaoba Singh: Apart from ensuring political stability, the BJP Government will also ensure development in the State.

Look, now the State is facing four difficulties: insurgency, poor economy, unemployment and lack of development. These are the areas where we have to concentrate our efforts. But the first and foremost job is to fight the underground forces. And take my word, Ibobi Government in the last couple of months has made them, the underground, so powerful that getting rid of this menace will not be an easy job.

The militants have infiltrated everywhere. We need a strong government to remove them. And once they are taken care of, ensuring speedy economic development of the State will not be a problem as then the funds meant for development will be used for the development purpose, not for buying arms and keeping insurgency alive.

NENA: Many say that you joined the BJP for a berth in the Union cabinet?

T. Chaoba Singh: I do not care about who says what. I am clear to my conscience.

Manipur’s interest is my primary concern. For the sake of Manipur, I am ready to join hands with any one who can deliver goods for the State. Besides, I was the deputy chief minister. I was Union minister. Power is not new to me. I have already tasted power. But what’s the use of occupying a powerful position if I can’t deliver goods to my people? Where do I stand if the Manipuri people continue to suffer as they are suffering now?