21 May 2024: The resignation of former IPS officer Anand Mishra, who was appointed to lead a Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Manipur’s ethnic violence, has taken a controversial turn. Mishra claims he resigned after Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma assured him a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket to contest the general elections from Bihar.
Mishra, a native of Buxar, Bihar, filed his nomination as an independent candidate for the parliamentary polls on May 7. He alleges that his resignation was prompted by Sarma’s promise, which ultimately was not fulfilled.
Mishra’s appointment to chair an SIT was directed by the Supreme Court as part of its order to form 42 SITs to investigate the violence in Manipur. Since May 2023, over 200 lives have been lost, and around 60,000 people displaced in the state, with the violence drawing national attention.
In his resignation letter submitted on December 18, Mishra expressed his desire to serve his home state and sought to be relieved from his duties starting January 16. There was widespread speculation that he would join the BJP, further fueled by endorsements from BJP leaders.
However, in an April 2 video statement on Facebook, Mishra announced his decision to run as an independent candidate, citing his unfulfilled promise of a BJP ticket. “I was trying to contest in the elections from a political party to better implement my views for the benefit of the country. Since I have not received a ticket, I will contest independently,” he stated.
Mishra, known for his controversial tenure in the Northeast, including a high-profile operation against militants in Meghalaya and a contentious shooting incident in Assam, has been a polarizing figure. Despite being lauded for his actions, his career has been marred by controversy.
Assam Chief Minister Sarma recently alleged that Mishra’s independent candidacy was supported by the opposition Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) to undermine the BJP’s candidate in Buxar. Mishra refuted this, accusing the BJP of betrayal.
As the political drama unfolds, Mishra’s claims have added a new dimension to the already intense electoral battle, raising questions about political promises and the dynamics within the BJP.
