MLA Joykisan proposes all-party meet on ADC Bill
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 24 2021: Thangmeiband AC MLA Kh Joykisan has suggested convening an all-political party meeting to help in withdrawal of the economic blockade being imposed along the national highways by hill-based students' bodies over the demand for tabling the Autonomous District Council (ADC) Bill recommended by the Hills Area Committee (HAC) in the assembly.

Addressing a press meet held at the community hall near Khoyathong Pukhri Achouba on Wednesday, Joykisan said that all are well aware of the inconveniences faced by people especially the poor when economic blockades are imposed.

He added that he has been taking the constructive role of the opposition of lauding the government when it does something good or calling it out when it acts against the people's aspiration.

He continued that the economic blockade over the demand for tabling the ADC Bill recommended by HAC in the assembly has commenced.

However, it needs to be noted that the HAC also comprises MLAs from the opposition along with BJP, NPP, NPF and Congress.

"The MLAs are affiliated to their respective political parties.

This begs the question if all political parties have no objection to HAC's Bill or whether the members have made their own individual decisions on the matter, without their respective parties' consent.

Nonetheless, any state-related matter taken up to the government level implies that that the same was approved at the party level.

Thus, it would be better for BJP, NPP, NPF and Congress to clarify whether they approve the Bill or not," he remarked.

"On the other hand, if the hill-based MLAs are attempting to take political advantage at the time of the polls by claiming that they are doing what they could do by producing the Bill but the same is not accepted by the valley, the consequences will not be favourable.

No one will object to anything done for the betterment of the hills and even all state CSOs have willingly extended help to the hills in difficult times.

Thus, the present scenario is highly similar to some people's attempt to cause chaos by presenting different political opinions on the issue with the aim of garnering support to build up their vote bank.

If the Bill was formulated by members with permission of leaders of their respective affiliated political parties, it is simply an act of trying to throw ashes into the eyes of the people," Joykisan said.

"Thus, it is important to convene an all-political party meeting at the earliest to resolve the present situation.

Political parties may have differences but one should never try to incite hatred among the communities.

Imposing an economic blockade over a small issue so as to gain votes will only negatively impact the unity of the state, the MLA said.

"As such, the right way would be to sit down and talk about what could be done and what steps to take.

The same could be discussed in the House.

It is only right to withdraw the economic blockade in the interest of the people.

Additionally, some organisations which are planning to impose a 3-day bandh should rethink their decision as the people are the ones who will be suffering the most," the MLA contended.

Joykisan further urged for clarifying why opposition members in the HAC were present during the meeting with central leaders regarding the ADC Bill.

He also urged those in government to clarify why they join the demand bandwagon, or else it would only prove that they had purposely inconvenienced the people while looking out for their own political advantages to gain more votes.

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