Must abdicate: ASUK
Titular king's nomination as BJP candidate draws flaks from militant groups
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 14 2020:
The Alliance for Socialist Unity, Kangleipak (ASUK) has asserted that Leishemba Sanajaoba must first step down from his position of being the titular king of Kangleipak if he should contest elections held under the Indian Constitution.
A statement issued by ASUK Chairman N Oken and Vice-Chairman Ksh Laba Meitei pointed out that even though Manipuri king is just a titular head of the State, he is a living symbol of Kangleipak's distinct identity, glorious history and the renewed efforts to unify the Nation.
ASUK then asserted that the income earned by the titular king as an MP would not be able to buy his prestige.
BJP's ploy of nominating Leishemba Sanajaoba as its candidate for the Rajya Sabha election is aimed at obliterating the identity of Manipuri people and ultimately assimilate them into the sea of mainland Indians, ASUK alleged.
It is also an attempt to project the indigenous religious faith of Kangleipak as an integral component of Hinduism, it said.
At the same time, this ploy of BJP is aimed at erasing the historical legacy and historical memory of Kanglei people and also to alter the future of Kangleipak by twisting the present, said the rebel leaders.
Tripura king Bubagra Kirit Pradyot Deb Barman was the president of Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee but he stepped down from the same post and further resigned from the primary membership of Congress party in September 2019.Then he wrote in Facebook, "The Bubagra (king in Kok Borok language) in me is more powerful than any political post", the ASUK cited and added that this is something which Leishemba Sanajaoba must understand.
Assam Minister and NEDA convenor Himanta Biswa made all attempts to take Bubagra Kirit Pradyot Deb Barman within the fold of BJP but the Tripura king rejected all the approaches.
Likewise, Leishemba Sanajaoba would be more powerful as the titular king than being an MP if he is determined to work for the welfare of Manipur, the alliance said.
If the titular king has been influenced by the ideology of BJP, it is advisable for him to first abdicate his position of being the titular king, it added.