In a startling and forceful interview with Karan Thapar for The Wire, BJP MLA Paolienlal Haokip from Manipur unleashed a blistering critique of Chief Minister Biren Singh, accusing him of being a "mad man, marauder, and liar," and calling into question his ability to govern impartially; Haokip, one of the prominent Kuki MLAs from the state, declared that he and his fellow Kuki legislators would not support the Biren Singh government in any confidence vote, revealing a deep rift within the BJP in Manipur.
Haokip's sharp condemnation extended to Home Minister Amit Shah, whom he accused of protecting Biren Singh for "less than honourable reasons"—a claim he declined to elaborate on, but which he firmly agreed with when pressed. Haokip's comments suggest a behind-the-scenes power struggle, with serious implications for the BJP's standing in the region.
Furthermore, the MLA took aim at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him a hypocrite for failing to live up to his 2017 statement, which suggested that those who cannot bring peace to Manipur have no right to govern. Haokip, visibly frustrated, asserted that the Prime Minister had "failed his job" and that the situation in Manipur was deteriorating under the current leadership.
The ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur, now in its 18th month, has once again flared up, with the Kuki-Zo people at the center of the crisis. Haokip pointed to the failure of both state and central authorities to resolve the issue and called for a separate administration for the Kuki-Zo community—specifically, a Union Territory with its own legislature—as the only viable solution.
In the interview, Haokip voiced concerns about the BJP’s commitment to Hindutva, suggesting that it was preventing the party, and particularly the Home Minister, from adequately protecting Christian Kuki people in the region. This, he said, was a critical factor in the party’s inability to resolve the conflict.
Despite his outspoken criticism of the top leadership, Haokip indicated that he has not yet left the BJP, expressing hope that "saner voices" within the party would eventually prevail and lead to a change in direction on the Manipur issue.
The candidness of Haokip’s interview is likely to further fuel the political controversy in Manipur and create ripples in the BJP, which is already grappling with criticism over its handling of the state’s ethnic strife. With the Kuki MLAs taking a stand against Biren Singh, the future of the BJP’s government in Manipur appears increasingly uncertain.
The Hills Journal
K. Salbung, Churachandpur
Manipur-795128
