Political Parties, Democracy and the Regional Question in Manipur: A Historical and Analytical Perspective

Political parties function as the institutional backbone of democratic practice by translating public opinion into governance and policy. This article traces the evolution of political parties in Manipur from the Pre-merger period to the post-merger era situating their growth within wider historical, social, and ideological changes. It examines how democratic aspiration emerged in response to feudal and colonial experiences leading to the formation of early political organization within a largely national outlook. The discussion than turns to the rise of regional parties after Manipur?s merger with India highlighting how regional identity unmet expectations and center state relations shaped their trajectories. Particular attention is given to the Manipur people?s party and the Federal party of Manipur assessing their political roles, limitations and eventual decline. The analysis suggests that structural constraints, leadership instability, financial dependence and defection politics collectively weakened regional parties in Manipur despite their initial public support and symbolic importance for regional identity.