SHADC imbroglio: Steps for third front underway
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 23 2012: With the objective of electing a new Chairman for Sadar Hills Autonomous District Council, 14 Members have started a new move to form a third front.

The Sadar Hills ADC has 26 Members including two Government nominees, and the 14 Members are working to form a third front in order to elect a new Chairman, different from the incumbent as well as the former Chairman.

Speaking to reporters about the new development at Motbung today, ADC Member Thangjamang Kipgen blamed the Congress for the chaos plaguing Sadar Hills ADC.

The ADC has been undergoing a phase of chaos and turmoil because of suspension and expulsion under a divide and rule policy adopted by MPCC leaders amongst Congress leaders, members and workers of Sadar Hills Congress, he alleged.

Members have already appealed to the MPCC president to revoke the suspension or expulsion orders before discussion of no confidence motion and floor test.

In case the orders are not revoked, it would be demonstrated before one and all that Congress party alone cannot appoint the ADC Chairman and run the Council, Thangjamang said.

In this connection, the third front has initiated necessary steps to collaborate with other political parties.

But it is too early to name the political parties and the ADC leader (Chairman) they propose, he said.

Incidentally, Thangjamang won the ADC election as an independent candidate.

Pointing out that the process for election of MPs, MLAs and ADC Members are quite similar, Thangjamang claimed that their new move was in conformity with the District Council Act 1971 .

If necessary, legal options would also be studied.

If Congress wishes to strengthen its position in Sadar Hills and deliver justice, the expelled members should be taken back within the party's fold, asserted Paojalet Touthang, another Member of the ADC.

Expulsion of former Chairman SH Seipu and suspension of Sadar Hills DCC vice-president Lunthang Haokip together with general secretary Thanggoulun Kipgen and chief whip Lamkholun Kipgen was based on false and fabricated report fed to the MPCC by incumbent Chairman Haokholal Hangsing and his supporters.

The report was the outcome of a conspiracy hatched jointly by Haokholal Hangsing, Sadar Hills DCC president Thangkam Misao, Saitu BCC president PH Majalin and Kangpokpi BCC president Tonglal Hangsing.

All four of them should be expelled from Congress party, Paojalet demanded.

It has been only two years since the ADCs were set up after a gap of 20 years with the primary goal of ensuring proper governance at the grassroots levels.

But Chairman Seipu was defeated in floor test on May 30 this year.

In case the suspended members are not taken back within 15 days so that they can participate in floor test, the third front would form the Council on its own, Paojalet added.

Comment