The scheduled election for the Autonomous District Council is perhaps going to make history which might finds another meaning for the term democracy when it comes to the state of Manipur. Democracy, which is often described as government for the people, by the people and of the people will no longer implied. If we have to accept that the ongoing process and preparation for the upcoming ACD election in the state of Manipur as democracy then the theory of democracy as told by Aristotle, Socrates and other political scientists are no longer valid. As this election seems to be an acid test of supremacy for various armed groups operating in the state with some having nexus with the state and the union government.
This is stated so, in view of the recent development. The interference by various rebel groups before the issuance of the notification and the threat perception meted to the public of the 6 ADCs is a glaring example of why this ADC election shouldn’t be considered as a acid test for supremacy among the armed rebel groups which are having nexus with the union and state government.
All together 571 candidates are in the fray for the 144 ADC seats of Manipur. The election is going to be a triangular fight between the BJP, which is leading the NDA government at the center, the Congress which is in power at the state government and the NPF, which is patronised by so called patriots of the Naga cause. Some candidates contesting as Independent candidates may also emerge as a challengers as they enjoy supports from ruling party.
This election also showed that the state government has completely failed its administration at some of the Hill areas. That is why a notification of the election commission has allowed filing the nomination of the candidates here at Imphal.
Moreover the Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam had also said that due to threats from the NSCN-IM the Congress party could not field candidates in all the ADC seats. The statement made by the responsible Home Minister showed that the present state government is not in the position to control the law and order condition of some of the hill area and this area at which the state machineries cannot reach out is directly control by the NSCN-IM.
The state had also witness open support to some candidates by armed group UKLF at Chandel district even as those candidates cleans their hands from getting any such support.
The election is perhaps going to be an apple of discords to the journey of clean Democracy.
