The recent outbursts by the leader of the opposition in the Manipur Assembly generated a semblance of a functional opposition. In a parliamentary system the executive, though also drawn from the legislators in the Assembly, are to be scrutinized by the opposition legislators
for their abuses of power or omissions of duty. While strong majorities are conducive to stability of government, it does not necessarily promote good governance. The robust majority behind the SPF government in Manipur is a case in point. The Ibobi dispensation has been bull-dozing its various programme and policies irrespective of those being in the best interest of the people affected by them. As evident in the charges leveled by the opposition leader, Shri O. Joy of the MPP, the government had been sleeping on the report of a committee which was constituted at cost to the public exchequer. The gross improprieties uncovered in the report had been brushed under the carpet by the government.

The Chief Minister's explanations on some of the queries have the potential to dislodge his government had it been elsewhere in the developed world. Crores of unauthorized contracts awarded calls for action on the erring, nay, scheming officials, not a post-facto regularization, as was statedly resorted to by the Ibobi government. The continuance in office of irregularly appointed officials reveals the extent of abuse of authority and complete lack of responsibility in the government.

Another sign of revival of democracy in the state was recently manifest in the report of the Committee on Public Undertakings of the Assembly, also chaired by the leader of the opposition. However, the tragedy of it is the revelation that of the 813 recommendations of the PAC, only 38 have been implemented. This is a mockery of the legislature, given that these committees represent the legislature and are known as minilegislatures. The executive evidently has grown too powerful in the state, so much so that being a legislator has become more of a mere step to becoming a minister than to make laws. The CMís reply to the opposition leader stating that the government has been implementing the reasonable recommendations of the vigilance committee suggests a legislature that is bereft of its power to bring the government to book. Reasonableness of a vigilance committee report is not something which the indicted government is supposed decide.

The opposition in the state Assembly today may be weak in numbers, but their true test lies in their ability to bring to light, substantive issues of public importance, in the House and their ability defend the interest of the public in the face of government apathy. They should be in a position to offer a better alternative to the people in terms of higher ethical conduct, better governance capacity, and cleaner administration under a more competent political leadership. Uncovering the weaknesses of the ruling party is one while the ability to present a coherent, convincing and actionable programme before the people is another.

Once the opposition in the state Assembly achieved this, the numbers in the Assembly will follow.
The people of this lovely state deserve much more than the degenerate government, the hydra-like insurgency, the wantonly declared blockades, the failed civic amenities, the ghost-like power supply, the never teaching teachers, the ghost post-holders and potholed roads, et al, which are all signs of an incompetent, corrupt yet robustly supported government. They need a functional and strong opposition to save them from the tyranny of the majority. Will O. Joy bring them joy?