Devolving power to the grassroot :: ADC polls : Date with June 1
- The Sangai Express Editorial :: April 28 2015 -

The BJP, Congress and NPF.

Most probably these are the three political parties to look out for come June 1, when election to the Autonomous District Council will be held.

Early days yet, but it may be said that it is these parties which have been making all the noises.

Whether these are right noises or not will only be known when the voters queue up to cast their votes.

Fresh from the stupendous showing in the Lok Sabha election held last year, the BJP is on a high.

This has been bolstered by the excellent showing in some Assembly elections, notably in Maharashtra and Haryana at the fag end of 2014.

It also stands that the BJP seems to have covered a lot of ground in the hill districts, notably at Senapati.

On the other hand, the Congress has been on a downslide, tasting defeats in numerous State Assembly elections.

This is despite the resounding victory of its candidate in the by election to the Hiyanglam by election held some time last year.

The NPF has been holding its turf in Nagaland, no doubt, but the power tussle within the party at Nagaland is bound to have a negative impact on the party here too.

It was more than a power tussle within the party at Nagaland and while this may not have much of an impact here this is something which no other political parties will leave untouched.

2015 is definitely not 2010 and a lot of political changes have taken place in the last five years.

How the changes will impact on the election is something which only time will tell, but more than likely that the BJP and the NPF will try to capitalise on the changes in the last five years.

No doubt there are many issues at hand but central to the issues will obviously be the ongoing political dialogue between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India.

This is where the BJP and the NPF will have that advantage over the Congress, especially in the districts which are dominated by the Naga tribe.

For the other hill districts, notably those dominated by the Kuki tribes, it could well be the truce pact inked between Delhi and the umbrella organisations of the Kuki armed groups the KNO and the UPF.

It however remains to be seen how much importance the voters will attach to the peace process between the two said umbrella organisations and the Government of India.

Complicating matter is the fact that even after such a long period of time a formal political dialogue is yet to be initiated between the SoO signatories and the Government of India.

People settled in the valley of Manipur may not have much to do with the ADC election but to be sure the outcome will be watched with great interest in the valley too for what happens in the hill districts is bound to have an impact on the whole of Manipur.

If the past or say the past five years is any indication, the ADC election may not lead to much improvement in the development of the hill districts, but it is noteworthy to see that some efforts have been initiated to devolve power and responsibility to the grassroot level.