Keishing lone Opp. crusader

IMPHAL, March 21: At 81 years, veteran Congress leader Rishang Keishing is brimming with energy. The former Congress Chief Minister is now "the lone man in the Opposition bench." Nevertheless, the veteran politician continues to spring surprises for the treasury benches with his volley of lively debates. After the Radhabinod Koijam-led People's Front commanded the support of 57 members in the 60-member Manipur Assembly (the effective strength of which is 59), the senior Congress MLA cut a lonely figure in the Opposition. However, his vast experience in governance in a parliamentary democracy has helped Keishing to launch a crusade against the People's Front government. In the past three days of the budget session, he was the only member to raise questions during Question Hour and grilled the Chief Minister on many subjects. After the Question Hour, Keishing moved "call attention motions" on financial matters of the state and then participated in the budget discussion. "I am not tired of speaking the whole day in the House. I enjoy it. I am now preparing for tomorrow's discussion," the indefatigable Keishing told The Telegraph today. He also expressed satisfaction over the local media "backing" him in his endeavours. "I have a plenty of issues to speak on, particularly those relating to the government's policies. This is my the service to the people." Asked about being the lone Opposition member in the House, he said, "I do not feel lonely." However, he added that the present position was a temporary arrangement. He predicted more problems for the People's Front government after the budget session. He feels that the real political scenario will emerge before the next session. Keishing was full of energy and vitality while participating in the budget discussion. He grilled the government on many issues concerning the welfare of the state. While commending Koijam's 2001-2002 budget for taking up various austerity measures to cut down government's expenditure, Keishing criticised the Chief Minister for a jumbo-sized ministry. He also ridiculed the Chief Minister on the reported plan to expand the present ministry. Any plan to expand the over-sized ministry was against the austerity measures announced by the budget, he said. Mediapersons, government officials and visitors in the gallery were completely taken by surprise by Keishing's performance. He made the House come alive as all eyes were cast on him. In today's session, he raised issues like corruption in state administration, shifting of Assam Rifles from Kangla Fort and robberies on national highways. The grand old man of Manipur's politics represented the state in the first Lok Sabha in 1950 during Jawaharlal Nehru's tenure. He has been elected to the Assembly without any gap since Manipur was granted statehood. He also served as the Chief Minister for the longest period. Though he belonged to the Treasury bench for his most of political career, Keishing also lived up to the expectations of the people as an impeccable Opposition leader after he lost power in December, 1997. Today, he continues his innings as the lone crusader in Opposition, proving that one can serve the people even while in Opposition.