ADC election is just round the corner. Political Parties including the ruling Congress in the state government as well as the one leading the NDA government at the centre are gearing up their campaign to get major seats in the upcoming poll. Another Party called NPF is also emerging as one top contender in this election and is also gaining wide popularity among the Hills people dominated by Naga community as the party have its agenda on the local issues besides receiving support either directly or indirectly from some armed militant groups.
It is just a month from now and the fight in this ADC election will be among the BJP, Congress and the NPF.
Of the 144 seats in 6 ADC constituencies, the ruling Congress in the state government managed to field only 130 candidates. According to Mr. Gaikhangam, president of the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee, the party could not field candidates at some of the constituencies due to threats from a rebel group called NSCN-IM, which is presently ensuing peace talk with the government of India after signing a cease fire agreement. The statement of the MPCC president Gaikhangam is very significant and it also reveals that the present state government is unable to govern at some of these ADC constituencies at which the party could not field its candidate. Ironically, the Gaikhangam, who is also the Home Minister of the state government also throw the ball to the central government ruled by NDA under the leadership of the BJP saying that they cannot control the illegal activities of the NSCN-IM cadres. He also blamed the centre particularly the BJP for its inability to let this rebel group follow the ground rules of the cease fire agreement signed between the two.
It is not only the NSCN-IM but the UKLF another rebel group whose activities had spread far and wide at Chandel district, recently announced capital punishment to those who stood against their sponsored candidate at 5 ADC constituencies in Chandel district.
As for the BJP too as of now the party has announced to field 130 candidates out of the total seat. According to source from the BJP party office they are likely to field the remaining seat soon. This means that the party is working with all its heart and soul to get some seats or perhaps majority seats in this election. The NPF which is rooted at Naga Dominated areas in Hill district has also field candidates at the maximum numbers. Now the nature of fielding candidates do certainly proves that there is going to be a lot of violence in this election. Almost all parties indicate the use of muscle power in one way or the other. As for the BJP it is expecting to win in more seats as it is in power at the centre and the government is presently dealing with the peace talk with the NSCN-IM which is considered as a major obstacle to the Congress. On the other hand the state government which is ruled by the congress is also presently taking an important role in the suspension of operation with many of the Hill based rebel groups – the UPF and the KNO besides others. There is logical truth to believe that these groups may indirectly become a major factor in winning this upcoming election.
This ADC election is surely not for the people of the 6 autonomous districts Councils but rather about those playing for powers. The innocent public knows but it is no use for them to be a part of this election as they are compelled to remain silence. As Gaikhangam has rightly pointed out that life is more precious and with the kind of threat some seats are to be sacrificed the silence of the people should not be blamed. Because their life too is more important and sacrificing their life for the election.
