TKS presidential candidates spell out policies, but to fail to inspire people
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Pamreiso Shimray

Ukhrul, May 29 2014: That time has come! The hustings that always stir immense interest amongst the Tangkhul youths.

The general elections of Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS) would take place on May 30, and four presidential candidates are already in the fray.

On Wednesday, at Ukhrul town hall here, the four presidential candidates and two vice presidential aspirants met and interacted with the public during the candidature address programme organised by the TKS election commission.

They made their respective public speeches and were volleyed with questions by members of selected panellists and the participating audiences in the packed hall.

TKS presidential candidates spell out policies

In the over 83-year long TKS history, the initiative was first of its kind that allow the intending candidates to meet the general public in the run up to the elections.

The TKS elections, as usual, whip up concerns among the Tangkhul youths, and people from different walks of life and Wednesday's attendance stood as a witness.

Four candidates namely Joel Angkang, YL Ravins, HW Leiyaza and SW Wungnaosung are in the race for the post of president, while V Wungramvao Zimik and Khanthingpam Kaping are in the fray for vice president.

To seal the fate of these candidates, as many as 233 units (villages) that have two-vote apiece will cast their ballot on May 30 .

A minute observation of the Wednesday's programme, however, has not lived up to the expectation of the participating audiences.

Unlike in the past years, the speeches and responses of most of the candidates could not leave a satisfactory impression.

Most of the candidates are all below 40-year of age, and exhibited spirited enthusiasm to serve the student community.

However, they could not infuse innovative ideas and visions in the policies and programme highlighted in their speeches and answers to public questions.

Their approaches to reform education system are redundant and lacked drastic measures to harp in qualitative based learning.

Over the years, the TKS has always been a male bastion.

This time too, the tradition remains as no woman candidates are seen in the race.

Is the TKS, the oldest student body arguably in the North-East region and an influential organisation, not ready to accommodate the fairer sex? Or, is it still so inclined to patriarchal system of the society? .