RPI National President Ramdas Athawale is set to arrive in Imphal on Monday, with the party expected to publicly spell out its position on the political and social issues confronting Manipur, according to RPI National Secretary Maheshwar Thounaojam.
Speaking at a press meet at the RPI office at Keishampat, Maheshwar particularly pointed to the ongoing debate over the Census and the demand for implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC). He said the issue deserved serious consideration in view of concerns over illegal immigration and its potential impact on Manipur’s indigenous population.
Maheshwar said Athawale, who is also Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, would use the visit to make the party’s position clear on issues concerning the state. He said the visit would allow people in Manipur to know RPI stands on the state’s major issues. The RPI, he said, had already raised the slogan “No NRC, No Census”.
Maheshwar said the present situation in Manipur demanded that political parties adopt clear and definite positions on matters affecting the state and its people. Political activity, he maintained, should be directed towards safeguarding the interests of the people rather than being driven by electoral or personal considerations.
He also questioned the lack of clarity among state-level leaders representing national political parties on issues concerning Manipur. Such leaders, he said, have a responsibility to convey the concerns and aspirations of the people to their respective central leaderships and ensure that the issues raised at the state level receive due attention.