BJP after coming to power at centre under the leadership of PM Modi started concentrating on North East states where it used to be extremely weak. It created sensation by winning Assam much to the shock of the grand old party, Congress which ruled the state for decades.
BJP is now going allout to win another north east state Manipur. Nows peculation is increasing on whether Lotus will blossom in Manipurunder the current circumstances. Till recently the election campaigning Manipur concentrated on local issues like corruption and lack ofdevelopment but analysts feel after the ongoing four month long economic blockage by a frontline Naga group, fears are on whether thiscould see the deal with Naga rebels will see the state losing some ofits naga inhabited territory with radar on insurgency and law and order.
Though Congress and BJP are fighting bitter battle, only one party is contesting all the 60 seats. Naga People's Front (NPF),BJP ally is thempost dominant partner in the adjacent Nagaland. The party contested seats and won 4 in 2002 elections. It is now contesting 15 seatsand apart from it Irom Sharmila, Iron Lady of Manipur is contestingthe elections. Her party People's Resurgence and Justice Alliance(PRJA), is contesting in 3 years.
For BJP,winning Manipur will be another feather in its victory marchin NoarthEast. Though in Nagaland,BJP has its government, it is partof a coalition. Retaining Manipur is crucial for Congress as it islosing ground across the country.
