“MSCP will emerge ultimate winner”: Chaoba Singh
The Manipur State Congress Party’s main election plank during the forthcoming poll campaign will be territorial integrity.

The critics have virtually written him off after his unceremonious exit from the Union Cabinet. Moreover, he has been badly affected by a three-way split in his party with W. Nipamacha Singh floalting his new outfit and Dr. L. Chandramoni Singh joining the Federal Party. Yet, the man himself, T. Chaoba Singh is confident enough that his party, the Manipur State Congress (MSCP) will emerge as the single largest party in the forthcoming Assembly elections in Manipur.

Recently North East News Agency met MSCP president T. Chaoba Singh for an exclusive interview at his Delhi residence.
Excerpts:

North East News Agency: In your opinion what could be the possible outcome of the forthcoming Assembly elections in Manipur?

Chaoba Shingh: I may sound an over-ambitious politician, but I am confident that my party, the MSCP will emerge as the single largest party after the elections. We may not reach to the magic figure of 31 to attain simple majority in the 60-member House, but we will not be far from that figure also.

NENA: In that case, instability would continue to haunt Manipur?

C.S.: No, no. We have seen enough of instability. My party will provide a stable government in the State. Wait till all the polls are over. It will not be difficult for the MSCP to get the required numbers of MLAs.

NENA: That means horse-trading may be resorted to?

C.S.: The MSCP had never indulged in horse-trading and will never encourage it.

NENA: Then from where will you get the MLAs?

C.S.: At this present moment, I do not want to discuss the possible post-poll scenario. Now my first job is to ensure the victories of my party candidates. All I can say at this point of time, is that the people of Manipur want to give a chance to the MSCP and all other political parties will have to bow before the final verdict once the elections are over.

NENA: What will be your main election planks?

C.S.: Maintaining the territorial integrity of the State is at the top of our agenda. At the same time, providing good governance and clearing up the financial mess are two other important issues.

Many of you might not be aware that it was the MSCP, which made the issue of territorial integrity as a pre-condition for joining the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). We put pressure on the BJP and other political parties to include the issue in the NDA manifesto. We know how sensitive is the issue to the Manipuri people and the Manipuri people knew that the MSCP would never compromise on this particular issue at any cost. That is our strength. And for this reason, the people of Manipur this time have made up their mind to support us.

NENA: It may be the scenario in the Imphal valley. But in the hills of Manipur, where a large number of Nagas reside, the issue may tell on your party’s prospect.

C.S.: Who says that the Nagas living in Manipur hills want to part company? It is nothing but a false propaganda. Naga people are happy living in Manipur. They do not want to be a part of Nagaland. We never treat them as second class citizens. As a matter of fact, Rishang Keshing, a Naga by birth, holds the record till date of serving the State as Chief Minister than any one else. Is it discrimination against the Nagas? We the valley leaders always supported Rishang’s candidature when we were in the Congress. Without our support, was it possible for Rishang Keishing to become the chief minister of the State? The MSCP is committed to maintain communal harmony in the State and after coming to power we will not allow anyone to vitiate the atmosphere. That is our promise. The Meiteis, the Nagas, the Kukis and others, all have lived in Manipur as a family and they will continue to do so, foiling the sinister designs of a handful with vested interests.

NENA: Recently, you made an appeal to the underground forces to keep off from the election process. Do you admit the fact that majority of Manipuri politicians are hand in glove with the undergrounds?

C.S.: No, not the majority, only a few had links with undergrounds.

NENA: If only few politicians have links with the undergrounds, how can the insurgents effect the poll outcome?

C.S.: This is a recent trend that the ultras secretly try to influence the poll outcome. They do it in various manners — by threatening a candidate to withdraw from the contest, by eliminating a candidate, by asking huge amounts from the candidates — all sorts of methods they use. My appeal to the undergrounds is not to indulge in such practices this time, as the State is passing through a very critical phase. Let the people’s wish prevail. Because that the only answer to the present day’s uncertainty.

NENA: In one of your speeches in the Lok Sabha you had urged for stronger Anti-Defection Law. According to you what are the changes required in the present anti-defection law?

C.S.: We should straight away drop the clause where it has been recognised that one-third members of a legislative party can cause a split without being disqualified. In my opinion, the particular clause is the root cause of instability in smaller states like Manipur, Goa and others. Before the introduction of the Anti-Defection Law, there was no horse-trading or instability in Manipur. The moment it became legalised that elected representatives could topple a government just by managing two to three MLAs, defections spread like a disease in smaller states, where many parties contest for a handful of seats and end by winning two or three seats each. In such states managing the required one-third MLAs to effect a split is not a problem. Take the example of Manipur, this time for sixty seats, at least 10 to 12 political parties will contest. So horse-trading after the results cannot be ruled out. This is not the case with the bigger states. In Gujarat, many attempts were made to dislodge the BJP Government there, but the BJP Government is still continuing there. My suggestion to both the Centre and the Election Commission is to omit the clause from the Anti-Defection Law to provide stability to smaller states. If any MLA or MLAs want to leave the parent party, let them do it by resigning from their Assembly seats.

NENA: Going back to your unceremonious exit from the Union Cabinet, political observers say that both you and your party are handicapped by this sudden removal.

C.S.: I do not know who are those political observers you are referring to. All I can say that my exit from the Union Cabinet has allowed me to devote more time to my State, which is beneficial for my party. I have no lust for power. I held many offices over the years. I was the deputy chief minister of Manipur, I was a central minister. So it doesn’t bother me anymore whether I hold any office or not. As a politician, my job is to serve the people to the best of my ability and I will continue to do that, irrespective of holding any office or not.

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