MPP hosts discussion on regionalism
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, May 06 2012:
A One Day Political Discussion on 'Regionalism' was organized by the Youth Front of Manipur People's Party (MPP) at the party office here today.
Prof Ksh Bimola of Manipur University spoke on the topic 'General and Political concept of Regionalism: Regionalism not opposed to Nationalism' as a resource person.
Presenting her paper, Prof Ksh Bimola said that regionalism is based on geographic area of a particular region while Nationalism is built up by the persons of a particular region who are scattered elsewhere.
The demand of the Nagas cannot be considered as an act of regionalism, since their demand encroaches the boundaries of other states.
She pointed out that there are various communities settling in different states of the North East India.
With a fairly less number of representatives in the Lok Sabha from these states, they tend to remain under the dominion of the larger represented states.
In America, every state, whether big or small has equal number of state representatives in the Senate.
The centre takes hold of 18 percent of the power and the states are given 82 percent share of power.
Speaking on the occasion, ex-MLA O Joy said that the main problem faced by regional parties of the state is that of political domination.
This has created a lot of crisis in the state.
With the emergence of regional parties in India, the idea of regionalism has surfaced in the states and the strength of regional parties also increased.
And it is certain that in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress will not be able to form a government in any of the states.
He further stated that MPP was established in 1968 to safeguard the territorial integrity, language and script and interest of the various ethnic groups of the state.
Dr Dhanabir Laishram also deliberated on the topic "Ideas, actions and confidence-building exercise of the MPP for the attentive public of Manipur" and Dr L Chadramani, Former Deputy Chief Minister of Manipur spoke on the topic of "Role and importance of Regionalism Political Parties in contemporary Indian politics" .
The discussion session was presided over by S Umananda, President-in-charge of MPP.