The Opposition Congress has adopted a flexible approach in its bid to deny the ruling BJP a second straight shot at power in Manipur.

This flexibility is attributed to its experience in 2017 when it was pipped at the post by the BJP from being in power for the fourth straight term despite finishing as the single largest party in the Assembly polls.

Manipur goes to the polls in two-phases on February 27 and March 3.

Congress insiders said other reasons for adopting a flexible and practical approach included the string of desertions of senior leaders and MLAs to the BJP and other parties and the fast-changing political environment where a hung House appears a distinct possibility even though the ruling BJP is “sure” of forming the government on its own.

The “flexible and pragmatic” approach to oust the BJP included pre-poll tie-up with five like-minded parties — CPI, CPI (M), RSP, Forward Block and Janata Dal (S) — announcing its first list of 40 candidates much in advance to convey its keenness for pre-poll alliances. The party has also left six seats to facilitate the win of “non-BJP candidates” who could be “future” allies but has not named the parties or Independents it was backing.

Besides flexibility towards prospective allies, the Congress is also sending a message to the voters. On Thursday, the Congress’ 54 nominees took an oath of “allegiance” to the Constitution of India and to the party and its rules and to “serve” the people of the state by “remaining” with the party for their “entire tenure” of five years if elected.

This assumes significance because of the 28 Congress candidates who had won in 2017 in the 60-member Assembly, 14 have since joined the BJP, one JD (U) and one NPF. The Congress as on day has only 12 MLAs.

After taking the pledge, the nominees also visited prominent religious places — temple, mosque and church — in Imphal to seek “divine blessings” besides the Kangla Fort, once a seat of administration holding immense historical, religious and cultural significance for the people.

Manipur has a population of about 30 lakh. According to the 2011 census, it has about 41.39 per cent Hindus, 41.29 per cent Christians and 8.40 per cent Muslims.

“The idea is to send a message that we a secular, democratic and inclusive party with immense respect for our history and tradition. We have not done anything like this (pledge and visit to religious places) before,” Manipur Congress vice-president, spokesperson and social media in-charge Kh Devabrata Singh said of Thursday’s move, which also seemed to be a dig at the BJP.

Devabrata Singh also told The Telegraph, “We will win 30-plus seats and we will ally with any party to keep the BJP out of power because that is what the people of Manipur want, relief from the BJP’s misgovernance and failed promises. We are going for strategic alliances to ensure the victory of our candidates and those of our future allies.”

“The CM will also be elected by our MLAs and, in case of coalition government, by the MLAs of coalition partners,” he added.

Singh’s assertion of tying up with anyone to oust BJP were “indications” of the Congress’ flexible and pragmatic approach to improve its showing despite its dwindling fortunes in the northeast since losing Assam in 2016, Congress insiders pointed out.

The experience of 2017 still rankles. The Congress could not form the government as they could not muster three MLAs to cross the majority mark of 31. The BJP with 21 MLAs managed to get the support of smaller parties such as Naga People’s Front (NPF), National People’s Party (NPP), LJP and Independents to form the first BJP-led government in the state.

The BJP has nominated 11 former Congress MLAs this time round, sparking off turmoil within the party, something its rivals, including the Congress are trying to exploit.

The BJP, however, is confident of winning a second term on its own and the depleted Congress will not be a factor, BJP vice-president C. Chidananda Singh told this newspaper, adding the party will win at least 40 seats.

The NPP and the NPF, part of the BJP-led coalition government in the state, are fighting the polls separately. Then there is the JD(U).

The Congress feels multi-cornered fight will only lower the BJP’s vote share.

“We will fight the election on bringing back a progressive, transparent and accountable government,” Singh said on what they have to offer to the voters.