Ten Candidates: Who Will Be Your Choice ?
One who creates trouble in the integrity of Manipur state should not be allowed to represent its people

Seram Neken *

candidates contesting for seat of Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency

CONTENDERS

Thangso Baite (INC)
Prof Gangmumei Kamei (BJP)
Chungkhokai Doungel (NCP)
Kim Gangte (AITC)
Soso Lorho (NPF)
Lamminlien Gangte (Janata Dal U)
M Khamchin Pao Zou (AAP)
Mani Charanmei (Independent)
Amarson Samkhil (Independent)
Lamlalmoi Gangte (Independent)

Reported controversy within the Trinamool Congress party in Manipur is an ample example that party principles and ideologies have nothing to do with politics in the state. Not only in this party, but also in other political parties, such an atmosphere always prevails in this state. Most politicians focus on personal whims rather than party affiliations.

Interestingly in Manipur, we have seen elected leaders of one party canvassing for the other party with undisclosed motives. Besides being controversial, party system has degenerated into opportunism.

Recent merger of five elected MLAs of MSCP into Indian National Congress has revealed one fascinating notion that the ultimate aim of most members of regional parties is to reach the Congress platform one or the other day in their political tenure. There are numerous politicians in Manipur who were born and brought up in Anti-Congress platforms, but jumped into the Congress party as their safest and ultimate asylum.

India is ruled by its people through representatives elected periodically. Political party is a school to groom and nurture able leadership. That is why; political parties and election are most important mechanisms for the governance of the country. Whenever voters are forced to go along the dictated way, representative governance will suffer.

As long as Election is conducted freely, fairly and consciously, democracy will be meaningful. However, when the voters lack political consciousness, the outcome of the elections becomes dangerous. The wealthy and powerful people have been taking advantage of the poor and illiterate voters.

Who will educate the voters, who will initiate public discussions, who will mould public opinion on various state issues ?

The political parties, pressure groups, civil society organizations etc. have a big role to sensitize the voters during elections. Are the political parties of Manipur performing their responsible duties in this regard? Are the Civil Society bodies feeding information to the voters on the eve of elections?

In the ensuing poll for Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency tomorrow, voters have to select one out of 11 buttons (including one to reject all- NOTA).

Shall we reject any Candidate or Political Party that has either initiated or endorsed any Homeland device in Manipur state?

Shall we reject anyone who has either supported or signed for any alternative arrangement for a particular community within Manipur?

Shall we reject any candidate who has belief in sectarian principles? It is obvious that among the ten contestants for the Outer Manipur Parliamentary seat, there are a few candidates who belong to the category mentioned above.

Some have been inclined, in one way or the other, towards creating troubles in the integrity of Manipur. Will they get the support of their voters?

Democracy requires political consciousness of the electorate. The poor, marginalized and neglected people of the hills are prone to be swayed away by various factors during elections. They need to be educated and well informed so that they take their own decisions.

Unfortunately, our political parties are weak enough in instilling political consciousness during elections. The candidates as well as political parties prefer to woo voters with muscle or money power, rather than with discussions and meetings on policies and programmes.

With the failure of political parties at this juncture, the role of civil society bodies who have been working for unity and integrity of Manipur has become greater. The civil Society Bodies which have been working for the welfare and unity of Manipur for the past many years need to come out openly and sensitise the voters of Manipur on the core issues of the state.

Although the Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency is reserved for Scheduled Tribe candidates, its electorate includes a large chunk of non-ST voters belonging to Heirok, Wangjing Tentha, Khangabok, Wabgai, Kakching, Hiyanglam, Sugnoo, and Jiribam subdivision. The outer seat is having around 8.5 lakh voters, out of which non-ST voters in the valley constitute about 2.0 lakh (who can cast their votes but cannot contest).

The valley voters invariably play a major role in deciding the outcome of the poll. They will decide the fate of candidates contesting for the outer seat. They may be conscious enough to look for candidates or parties which/who are non-sectarian and non-communal.

It is time to explore the one which has never indulged in Homeland demands of any particular section, or any separatist arrangements for a certain group. In short, the party or man which yearns for a unified Manipur is the need of the hour.