Political discussion held on 'Regionalism'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 06 2012: Manipur People's Party youth Front (MPPYC) organised a one-day political discussion on 'Regionalism' at the MPP office today with the regional political party's president in-charge S Umananda presiding the session.

As a resource person of the session, MPP political advisor O Joy deliberated on 'Problems of Regional Political Parties in Small and Border States like Manipur: Suggestions to tackle the problems' during which the former MLA conceded that survival of regional political parties in Manipur is put to the most sternest test as these political organisations are opposed to blindly executing prepared policy programmes of New Delhi.

Claiming that national political parties are against the concept of strong regional parties, he also accused central leaders of relentlessly trying to subjugate the regional political organisations at any cost.

Highlighting that MPP came into the political arena with the firm conviction to protect Manipur's territorial integrity and promote harmonious co-existence of various ethnic groups, he expressed that in a conflict State like Manipur there is not only need for strengthening regional political organisations but such entities should be confident enough to tackle outstanding issues.

Exhorting all concerned that MPP's failure to grab even a single seat in the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly do not mean abandoning the party, Joy exuded confidence that MPP will certainly be able to overcome the setback and live upto the people's expectation in the near future.

Further accepting that defeat in the recent election is due to naivety on the part of organisation leaders, failure to chalk up an effective political strategy and poor financial position of the MPP, he also described as unfortunate party leaders' failure to grasp sentiment and ethos of the general public.

Prof Ksh Bimola, who spoke on 'General and Political Concept of Regionalism, Regionalism not opposed to Nationalism' pointed out that lingual regionalism, boundary dispute, water dispute and statehood demand are components of regionalism.

Stating that India is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country with similar diversities also a common feature of the North East region, she noted that problems besieging Manipur is mostly due to differences of opinion and aspiration of different tribes/communities settled in the State.

Explaining that regionalism being a component of nationalism economic exploitation of smaller State by larger States and political domination by the national parties are some of the factors for the regional party having to strive more vigorously for stay in contention.

During the discussion session, Dr Dhanabir Laishram elaborated on 'Ideas, Action and Confidence-Building Exercise of the MPP for the Attentive Public of Manipur' and MPP advisor Dr L Chandramani Singh on 'Role and Importance of Regional Political Parties in Contemporary Indian Politics' .

The discussion session was preceded with the key-note address presented by the MPPYF president Mutum Maniton Mangang.

An interaction session was also held on the occasion.

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