Centre must revoke ineffective President's Rule: MP Bimol
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, July 26 2025:
The true meaning of democracy lies in upholding the people's mandate, and MLAs must honour the power entrusted to them by the people.
President's Rule is meant to be a temporary arrangement.
If it proves ineffective, it should be revoked and a fresh election held to allow the people to form a new government, Lok Sabha MP Dr Angomcha Bimol Akoijam has stated, adding that it is unacceptable to continue suppressing the voices of 59 MLAs.
Speaking at a press meet held at his residence at Keishamthong on Saturday afternoon, MP Bimol asserted that both the 59 MLAs and the Centre must respect the people's mandate.
He said that the MLAs and the Union government must be sincere and display accountability as well.
He expressed concern that the Centre continues to suppress the voices of the 59 MLAs.
Even if President's Rule was imposed as a temporary measure to address the ongoing conflict in the state, it should be revoked if it has failed to serve its purpose, allowing the people to elect representatives to form a government of their choice, he said.
Regarding the resolution introduced by the central government in Parliament to extend President's Rule in Manipur, Dr Bimol said that he is opposed to the extension.
At present, he said, the voices of the people are being silenced, and bureaucrats are running the state.
Elected representatives have no platform to speak.
In a democracy, only he and the two other MPs from the state are left to speak under the provisions of the Constitution, he noted.
The MP also pointed out that many debates have been held on Article 356 and said that President's Rule could have been imposed in Manipur much earlier.
However, it has been portrayed that the Rule was enforced only after the Constitution "collapsed" in the state due to a leadership crisis in the previous government.
He recalled that even before deciding to contest the election, he had already seen the hand of the Union government in the unfolding conflict.
He said that the Centre had stripped the state government of all powers and effectively "tied the hands" of the elected representatives.
Not everything done by the Centre can be considered right or justified, he said, adding that the situation is being projected as though everything will be resolved if people continue to place their trust in the Centre.
He assured that if given the opportunity to speak during the ongoing session, he would present his views clearly.
Dr Bimol also said that the basic foundation of any country is the development of its education and health sectors.
During DISHA meetings, issues such as lack of infrastructure, shortage of staff and other concerns were raised.
He said that he visited and inspected various schools and found multiple shortcomings, including unresolved grievances of teachers and lack of government initiatives.
He added that teaching is a noble profession, and teachers are the ones shaping the future pillars of society.
Even without salaries, many teachers have continued to show up for their students, he said.
Referring to the regularisation of higher secondary lecturers in January 2022 by the state cabinet, Dr Bimol noted that a cabinet decision always implies financial commitment.
Employing teachers on contract pay, denying them appointment identification numbers, and not formalising the regularisation process is nothing short of exploitation, he remarked.
He further warned that society would decline if the basic education system is allowed to deteriorate.
If teachers who continue teaching without pay are neglected and disrespected, society will regress.
"There is nothing the government cannot do," he said, urging for a swift resolution to the ongoing issues faced by the teachers.
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