United Naga Council in Manipur Electoral Politics
- Part 2 -

Aheibam Koireng *

UNC | NPF logo

The common front floated by the United Naga Council (UNC) has been christened as the United Naga Democratic Front (UNDF). In its manifesto, it pledges- to mobilize the people for fullest support to the on-going Indo-Naga political dialogue for an honorable solution; to provide leadership to society in nation building; to fulfill the inherent and democratic aspirations of the Naga people for the unification of all the Naga Homeland; to promote common interest of all the ethnic communities in the state.

The Emergency Meeting of the UNC held on 28 December 2006 at Tahamzan (Senapati) resolved to totally ban and restrict the political party affiliation of whatsoever and holding of political parties' conventions and campaigns in the Naga areas. The UNC had afterwards served ultimatum on 24 January 207 to all those candidates who had not been nominated by the UNC to withdraw their candidates.

On 21 January 2007, AB Bardhan, National Secretary of Communist of India (CPI) had stated that CPI had not established units in 11 ACs where Nagas dominate, as several candidates were fielded under the dictates of the NSCN-IM. Four independent candidates of 47 Karong AC have cried foul allegedly over the involvement of some NSN-IM men including upper rung leaders in the election campaign for improving the prospects of UNC sponsored candidate, RV Shirang.

Amidst the threat of NSCN-IM, a peace rally was staged at Chandel on 19 February by womenfolk demanding that they be given the freedom to freely exercise their franchise without threat and intimidations. NSCN-K bans all candidates in Tamenglong AC as it felt that the NSCN-IM had grossly maneuvered the process to ensure the election of the candidate put up by them.

Naga National Council (NNC) charged the Isaac Muivah leadership of shrieking their responsibility owed to the "Naga Nation." It alleged that the formation of UNDF was at the behest of NSCN-IM. It also alleged that the Nagas in Manipur are not only forced and threatened to vote for the UNDF candidate but the IM leaders have also been abducting public leaders from areas of Tamenglong and Ukhrul District for raising objections to the NSCN-IM Stances.

In the third and final phase elections, three candidates have taken forced retirement. But their names continue to include in the Ballot as there were no official cognizance of such candidates who were cleared for contesting after scrutiny and who did not withdraw their candidature within the given time are considered as contesting candidate.

Those who have taken Forced retirement included one independent candidate of Tamenglong AC, and two CPI candidates at Tengnoupal and Chandel AC. Mr. Khangthuanang Panmei, an independent candidate of tamenglong AC was abducted on 17 February 2007 in the last couple of days preceding polls.

The outfit alleged him of "lending support to the anti-UNC Policies of the so called peace rally." Two CPI candidates, Onzamang Haokip of Tengnoupal AC and Nehkhothang of Chandel AC have taken forced retirement as they were threatened of dire consequences by some insurgent groups even as the repeated appeals of the village elders to allow free and fair election went unheeded.

Electoral result shows UNC sponsored candidates blank-out other political parties in Ukhrul District by winning all the three seats. In Tadubi AC of Senapati District, Tamei AC of Tamenglong District and Tengnoupal AC of Chandel District too, UNC candidates defeated sitting MLA and INC candidates in all these ACs.

Ahead of the 10th MAE, 2012,the Manipur Unit of Naga Peoples Front (NPF) was formally opened on 28th May, 2011. In 10thMAE, 2012, NPF altogether fielded 12 candidates. UNC, ahead of the election, at its Federal Assembly meeting held on January 2, resolved to support the NPF. The resolution was adopted taking into account, the situation of the Nagas in Manipur and the commonality in principle and ideology with the NPF on the political agenda of the Nagas, the UNC stated.

Nephiu Rio, incumbent Nagaland Chief Minister and Star Campaigner of NPF,in his campaign address reiterated that the 10thMAE should be taken as Naga's referendum and also exhorted that the Nagas have been kept suppressed due to scattered settlement.

If it is referendum of Naga's, as stated, the thumping defeat of G. Gaingam, a patriarch of Naga integration campaign, Founder President of NPF Manipur State Unit and former President of UNC, defeat of NPF candidate in Chingai AC with big margin for which the sizeable number of voters is from the Somdal village, a birthplace of the Naga rebel leader, Mr. Th. Muivah are just footnotes to the poor electoral performance of NPF, despite all-out effort by its benefactor.

In March 2014, UNC came out with a position which the Naga people will have to be adhered in letter and spirit inthe 16thLSE 2014. They are: a) Any political party or individual(s), who either in speech, written statement, visual display or in action, opposing the established and registered position of the Nagas will be deemed to be anti-Naga; and b) The policies, programmes and activities of any political party which does not subscribe to the established position of the Nagas will not qualify for the support of the Naga people in any manner whatsoever.

In the said LSE, UNC had endorsed the NPF Candidate, Soso Lorho though there have not been consensus in the Zeliangrong Baudi which claimed to be the apex organization of the Zeliangrongs. To enhance the prospect of NPF Candidate, helicopters were used in the campaign and even resorted to unethical means amounting to character assassination of the other Naga candidates in the fray, Prof. Gangmumei Kamei (BJP candidate) and Mani Charanamei (independent candidate & former MP) by calling them as black sheep.

Regardless of their effort and endorsement Soso Lorho was defeated. Post declaration of Election results, Prof. Gangmumei came out in public stating that NPF Candidate, Soso Lorho shouldn't held him responsible for his defeat by dividing the Naga votes but had only his benefactor to blame. Who the benefactor is to everyone's guess?

To be continued....