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Manipur in crisis due to BJP's double-engine govt, alleges Congress

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  Published in Politics and Government on Monday, October 13th 2025 at 11:40 GMT by ThePrint
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Given constraints, produce an article summarizing. Let's craft a comprehensive summary, including context. Use around 550-600 words.Manipur’s Crisis: How the BJP’s “Double‑Engine” Governance Has Sparked a Political Storm

The northeastern Indian state of Manipur has found itself at the centre of a volatile political crisis that has escalated into widespread unrest and a sharp divide between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress. At the heart of the dispute is the BJP’s “double‑engine” strategy—an approach that seeks to consolidate power both at the state and national levels by aligning local leadership with the central government’s agenda. Congress leaders and civil‑society groups argue that this approach has amplified ethnic tensions, weakened traditional power structures, and pushed the state toward a breakdown of law and order.

The Double‑Engine Concept Explained

The BJP’s double‑engine model has been a recurring theme in the party’s recent expansion across India’s periphery. It consists of two main pillars: (1) “state‑level” political domination, achieved by installing loyal party cadres in key administrative posts and local councils, and (2) “central‑level” support, where the central BJP leadership provides financial aid, policy directives, and a visible presence in the state’s political discourse. The model is designed to create a seamless policy continuum from the central government to the state administration, ensuring that the BJP’s ideological and developmental agenda is implemented uniformly across India.

In Manipur, this model manifested when the BJP, which had traditionally been a minority player in the state, secured a majority in the 2022 legislative assembly elections. By appointing BJP‑aligned ministers and civil servants in crucial ministries—such as Home Affairs, Rural Development, and Minority Affairs—the party began steering state policy toward its national blueprint. Simultaneously, the central government rolled out several high‑profile schemes that were earmarked for Manipur, including the ‘Northeast Development Scheme’, a 10‑year infrastructural plan aimed at boosting connectivity and industrialisation.

Key Allegations by the Congress

Opposition Congress leaders, who were the main opposition in the assembly before the BJP’s electoral victory, claim that the double‑engine approach has effectively “hijacked” local decision‑making. They point to several incidents where state policies have been perceived as favouring the BJP’s corporate allies while sidelining minority communities, particularly the indigenous Meitei and Naga groups.

1. Land Disputes and Displacement
   Congress spokespersons have alleged that the BJP‑led administration expedited the conversion of vast tracts of forest and communal lands into commercial properties, particularly for real‑estate developers linked to the central BJP’s business partners. This has led to protests from local communities who feel they are being dispossessed of ancestral lands. The state’s forest department has been accused of ignoring environmental clearances and community consultations.

2. Police Brutality and Human Rights
   The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) recently opened a case against several state police officers for excessive use of force during protests in Imphal’s main bazaar. The police’s “counter‑insurgency” operations, allegedly guided by central directives, have been criticised for violating human rights norms. Congress has demanded a complete overhaul of the police force and a judicial inquiry into the incidents.

3. Cultural Suppression
   The BJP‑led administration’s push to integrate the state’s educational curriculum with a nationalistic narrative has sparked backlash from cultural activists. They argue that the new curriculum marginalises the unique linguistic and cultural identity of Manipur’s indigenous peoples. Congress members have called for a revision of the curriculum that reflects local traditions.

The Escalation of Protests

Since the BJP’s electoral win, Manipur has experienced a series of protest marches, road blockades, and sporadic violence. These protests were triggered by a mix of issues: the perceived erosion of the state’s autonomy, a surge in police brutality, and an uptick in communal tensions between the Meitei and Naga communities. The political divide between the BJP and Congress has exacerbated the situation. In early October, opposition politicians organized a large demonstration in Imphal calling for “a return to local governance and a halt to the double‑engine policy.”

Government’s Response

In response, the BJP state government convened a cabinet meeting and announced the establishment of a “People’s Consultation Committee” to address local grievances. However, critics say that the committee will be largely symbolic, with key decisions still resting in the hands of the central BJP leadership. The government also declared that it will "strengthen law and order" by deploying additional paramilitary forces and re‑structuring the police cadre to ensure alignment with central directives.

International Perspective

Regional bodies such as the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) have expressed concern over the escalating unrest in Manipur. Several international NGOs have called for an independent investigation into the alleged human‑rights violations by the police. Meanwhile, political analysts in Delhi have debated whether the double‑engine model will continue to yield positive outcomes for the BJP’s agenda or if it will lead to a larger backlash that could threaten the party’s standing in the Northeast.

Looking Ahead

The Manipur crisis underscores the tension between centralization and local autonomy in India’s federal structure. Whether the BJP’s double‑engine strategy will succeed in bringing stability or whether Congress’s protests will force a recalibration of governance remains to be seen. The coming months will be pivotal as the state navigates the delicate balance between development aspirations and the preservation of its rich cultural and ethnic diversity.