'Don't buckle under pressure, stay in office to serve Manipur more'
Keishamthong AC backs MLA to continue in office
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 18 2024: Team Nishikant, supporters and public of Keishamthong Assembly Constituency have resolved that Nishikant should not resign under duress as it is untimely to take the step amid such a volatile situation.

The resolution was taken during a joint meeting of Team Nishikant, his supporters and a huge number of Keishamthong AC residents held at Anoubam Mandab, Sega Road Thouda Bhabok Leikai today to discuss whether Keishamthong AC MLA Nishikant Singh Sapam should resign.

The meeting not only discussed the matter but also took strong exceptions against attempts of some "politically motivated people" trying to coerce the MLA to step down from his position.

Keishamthong AC backs MLA to continue in office

Mention may be made that the call for resignation was raised yesterday by a group of people agitated by the news of the death of women and children who were earlier held as hostages by Kuki militants after they were abducted on November 11 from Jiribam.

Speaking at the meeting, Suresh Ningthoujam, who is a member of Team Nishikant, said that Nishikant Singh Sapam was elected to the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly as an Independent MLA to represent and serve the people of Keishamthong AC.

He also said that the meeting strongly condemns the attempt of some section of people, very likely to be political rivals, to force him to step down from his position during this critical juncture.

Today's meeting resolved that Nishikant cannot resign without the approval of the people of Keishamthong AC, he said.

"If 50 non-Kuki MLAs are collectively ready to resign from their posts in the interest of the State, we will allow our MLA to lead from the front," he said.

However, the call for resignation amid the present situation by a certain section of politically inclined people is untimely and uncalled for and the MLA's resignation should be based on the general consensus of the people of the Assembly segment, he said.

A bigger public convention will also be held as soon as the MLA returns to Imphal, he informed while adding that the MLA may step down or remain as an MLA based on the interest of the people.

He also added that they will also happily ask the MLA to step down if his resignation will bring about a solution to the crisis besieging the State for almost one and a half year.

The MLA has been at the forefront in helping the people directly and indirectly affected by the crisis that broke out on May 3 last year, aiding village volunteers along the frontlines and standing firm to his commitment to keep the territorial integrity of the State intact, he noted.

Another member of Team Nishikant, Chongtham Iboyaima expressed suspicion that the situation is a well planned campaign of the Central Government to wipe out Meiteis while safeguarding Kukis.

The brutal killing of internally displaced women and children in Jiribam has left everyone shocked and has resulted in many storming, vandalising and burning of properties and residents of MLAs and Ministers and a strong campaign demanding their resignation, he said.

However, people also should thoroughly think of the likely outcome, he said while expressing strong suspicion that Kukis may achieve their demand of Separate Administration in case all the MLAs resign and President's Rule comes into effect.

He also reiterated that the matter for resignation be decided by the people in the meeting attended by the MLA himself and not under duress of certain politically motivated people.

MLA Nishikant, who is in Delhi for his personal business, also interacted with the gathering via telephone.

During the interaction, the gathering informed the MLA not to resign without the approval of the people of the AC and not to bow to the pressure of a handful of people.

They further called upon the MLA to take the decision boldly when the time is right and expressed their solidarity.

The MLA also assured to act in the best interest of the people of Keishamthong AC .