Demand for cabinet berth hot topic in Ukhrul
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang

Ukhrul, March 23 2022: Ever since the declaration of the results of the recent assembly elections, there have been speculations about the possible representation of newly-elected NPF MLAs from Ukhrul district in the BJP's new government.

At the same time, various civil society organisations of the district have been demanding a cabinet berth to at least one of the three NPF MLAs from the Tangkhul community.

Lately, it has become a hot topic in the district, especially after the recent induction of five ministers in the newly-constituted cabinet which has not yet included any MLAs from the district.

Many of the town residents are discussing about the need for inducting a local MLA in the new cabinet in their neighbourhood or at tea hotels.

Some have even taken to social media to vent their angst against non-representation of the district in the new cabinet so far.

"At this juncture, we earnestly request the authority concerned to consider the sentiments and hopes of the people (of Ukhrul district) for holistic development," said Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) vice president Tuisem Kamkara in a statement issued late Monday night.

He said that CSOs from the district have appealed to the authority concerned for allotment of a cabinet berth which is for "inclusive and peaceful co-existence" .

"For the last two decades, Ukhrul district has been denied any ministerial berth," Kamkara continued.

The apex Tangkhul customary leader asserted that in the recently concluded Manipur State Assembly Election 2022, NPF got a total of 5 seats beating the previous record of 4 MLAs in 2017 .

"The increase in the number came from Ukhrul district," he said, adding that three of the newly-elected NPF MLAs are from the district.

Along the same line, Raphei Wungnao (RW), a village headmen's association of the district's Raphei (northern) region, had also urged the saffron party leaders to allot a cabinet berth to the newly-elected Chingai MLA from the district.

The chiefs' body had expressed hope that the long-cherished dream of the people of Chingai assembly constituency would be fulfilled by including the present Chingai MLA in the new government.

It had also urged the BJP "to do what is just and not fall prey to tempting lobbying" in the formation of a new government.

Earlier, different students' and civil society organisations of the district namely, Raphei Katamnao Long (RKL), Zingtun Tangkhul Katamnao Long (ZTKL), Sagolmang Area Naga Students' Association (SANSA), Yang Raphei Longnao (YRL) and Northern Raphei Students' Union (NRSU) had urged the BJP leadership for allotment of a ministerial berth to at least one of the newly-elected MLAs from Ukhrul district in the formation of a new BJP-led government in the state.

The organisations had said that among the incumbent local MLAs, it was critical to induct Khashim Vashum of Chingai AC, who represents the neglected part of the state bordering Nagaland and Myanmar.

The people would be looking forward to equitable development in the state only when the district is represented in the new government, the bodies said.

"This move will help achieve the vision of hills and valley as one," the CSOs said.

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