IT News
Imphal, Oct 18:
Congress has accused the BJP government of being “anti-tribal” and “anti-hill” for failing to hold the Autonomous District Council (ADC) elections for the past four years. With six autonomous district councils in Manipur, this delay has raised significant concerns among tribal leaders. Congress leaders Samuel Jendai and Victor Keishing have been vocal in criticizing the government’s handling of local governance and elections, emphasizing the need for timely district council elections to uphold democratic principles and ensure the representation of hill communities.
Samuel Jendai, speaking to the press, expressed concern over Hill Area Committee Resolution 59. The Hill Area Committee, now mostly composed of tribal members, originated as a standing committee when Manipur was a Territorial Council. With Manipur’s statehood, it became a body overseeing local governance, particularly elections and administration. Samuel Jendai highlighted that the resolution pertains to the long-pending elections for the district councils, as outlined in the District Council Act of 1971, which mandates elections every five years, with a possible one-year extension. However, it has now been more than four years without any district council elections despite various decisions being made.
The committee also proposed that, in the absence of elections, a 20-member interim committee for each Autonomous District Council (ADC) be formed, including 18 elected members from former ADC members, local self-government experts, eminent persons, and intellectuals, along with two government nominees from each district. Samuel Jendai urged the withdrawal of this recommendation.
Victor Keishing echoing Samuel Jendai’s sentiments has highlighted the importance of grassroots democracy. He argued that robust democratic principles must begin at the local level to ensure the strength of governance at higher levels. Keishing condemned the resolution and called for both district council and panchayat elections to be conducted promptly. He questioned tribal MLAs, asking if this is what they were elected for, stressing the Congress party’s opposition to the government’s recommendation.
