Manipur has a problem, and it is not only economic. It is also deeply political.
If Manipur is to develop into a stronger economy in the Northeast, the state needs legislators who are educated, experienced and capable of understanding the demands of governance. Development cannot happen simply by making political appointments. It requires people who can bring different institutions, departments and interests together and turn opportunities into results for the people.
But politics in Manipur does not always work that way.
Those who are expected to lead development and create opportunities are, in many cases, chosen more for political convenience, connections or lobbying than for their ability to deliver. And therefore, this pattern comes at a cost.
Manipur already has one of the smallest state economies in the country and remains at the bottom among the Northeastern states. At such a time, the state can ill afford to sideline people with the qualifications and experience needed to take on difficult challenges.
It is unfortunate that some legislators with considerable qualifications and experience are reduced to little more than decorative furniture in the government. Their abilities remain largely unused when they could have been given responsibilities where their knowledge and experience could make a difference.
Politics will always involve political considerations. That is understood. But governance cannot be reduced to politics alone.
Manipur needs to make better use of the people it has. Those with competence and experience should be given the opportunity to prove themselves, rather than being pushed aside because they do not belong to the right political camp or do not have the right connections.
The state has limited resources, limited opportunities and a population that has already endured far too much uncertainty. It cannot afford to waste the talent available within its own political system.
The question, therefore, is simple: are we choosing people for what they can do for Manipur, or merely for what they can do for politics?
The answer will have a bearing on the kind of Manipur we build.
