Conflict between Ibobi and Gaikhangam

By : N Rabei Singh/IFP

It is noteworthy to mention the names of presidents of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee from 1946 to 2007 in order.

Rajkumar Bhubansana Singh
Elangbam Tompok Singh
Potsangbam Tomal Singh
Sinam Krishna Mohan Singh
L. Lalita Madhob Sharma
Mairembam Koireng Singh
Laishram Jugeshwor Singh
Salam Tombi Singh
Haobam Baruni Singh
Rajkumar Birachandra Singh
Hawaibam Nilamani Singh
Mutum Amutombi Singh
Rishang Keishing
Rajkumar Dorendra Singh
Laisom Lalit Singh
Koijam Radhabinod Singh
Phungjathang Tonsing
Okram Ibobi
Gaikhangam.
The names of the former chief ministers who were the presidents of MPCC may be recalled as (a) M Koireng (b) RK Dorendro Singh (c) Rishang Keishing (d) Radhabinod Koijam (e) O Ibobi Singh. Most of the remaining ex-presidents were MPs, or MLAs. It is seen that most of presidents get good chance to win elections if they contest. It may be because of compounding additional qualities of presidentship with their existing personalities. It is, therefore said that the post of president is of high dignity. To vindicate the dignity of the post, one may summarize as under. There are sixty block congress committee in sixty constituencies of the state. Each committee has at least 100 (hundred) active members. One active member enrols twentyfive primary members. So is the president indirectly elected by at least, one and half lacs members. That is why, the president is naturally to be powerful. The Congress president and the chief minister are occasionally in conflict while the party is in power.

In certain case when the president happens to be an MLA, the degree of confliction is high. However is it a rare case, at present, O. Ibobi is the chief minister whereas Gaikhangam, MLA is the president. As a result, the high degree of confliction between them cannot be ignored.

Gaikhangam had been a cabinet minister before and after the chief ministership of Ibobi. But Gaikhangam resigned from the ministership on the ground of discontentment for the party or the general public or himself or other after his becoming the president. This resignation is not because of his presidentship as there is no hard and fast rule in the party constitution that the P.C.C. president should not hold any ministerial post or equivalent. Phungjathang was the P.D.A. chairman (cabinet rank) while holding the post of president MPCC.

So, Gaikhangam’s resignation is a historical event so far as the political history of Manipur is concerned because no one could resign voluntarily from the post of minister on any ground in the past, retrospecting the political history of the state. Therefore, Gaikhangam is the first MLA who could resign with his own consent from the ministerial post. Despite Gaikhangam who had endorsed the Naga integration some years back, but now is Gaikhangam a man of status endeavouring for Manipuri Integration. This may be fortunate for the people of Manipur.

It may, on the other hand be true that the relation between CM Ibobi and president Gaikhangam do not seem to be good. That the stigma in their affinity is most likely to give hindrance in the state administration is a must. The conflict between the two leaders may be accelerated just before the end of this year 2007. Because, the party election of MPCC president is probably to he held in the next year.

Gaikhangam, before holding the election may conceptualize the dragging down of Ibobi from the chief ministership. Whereas that one of his near congressmen is to be elected defeating Gaikhangam in the election may be the concept of O. Ibobi Singh.

In the meantime, the election of Rajya Sabha Member is coming nearer. Those who like to be elected. MP (RS) may start thinking which side Ibobi & Gaikhangam) may be stronger for the election. It is axiomatic that the present MP (RS) will like to step down Ibobi as he is not in a position to get his seat again in the election in case of continuing the chief ministership of Ibobi. If Rishang thinks for the next term of his membership, he may calculate the changing of CM by his near MLA. In one side, those MLAs not in the ministerial berth might aim at achieving the post of president MPCC. Taking note of the above facts, there may happen serious conflict between Ibobi with his supporters and Gaikhangam with his supporters.

The defeated side in the conflict will be politically frozen for a long time. This likely consequence will make both side serious for winning the conflict forgetting all the development plans and schemes of the state. This done, the economy of Manipur will be lowered.

Lastly, all the concerned should strive for not affecting the social dimension by the conflict.


Source: The Imphal Free Press