Seminar studies electoral politics
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 22, 2013: A two-day seminar on "Electoral Politics in Manipur" was opened today in the multipurpose hall of Modern College.

The seminar is being jointly organised by Political Science Department, Modern College and Manipur University Political Science Department under the sponsorship of University Grants Commission (UGC).

The inaugural function was graced by former Art and Culture Minister Dr M Nara, AMBA president Advocate Khaidem Mani, Centre for Manipur Studies, MU Director Prof Naorem Joykumar and Modern College Principal Dr K Biren as presidium members.

Speaking at the inaugural session, Dr H Indrakumar said that the democracy in practice today only benefits the rich.

People's representatives are elected through adult franchise but the democratic principle of serving the people is never followed.

The seminar may help in identifying the brand of electoral politics practised in Manipur, he said.

Dr M Nara remarked that the topic of the seminar is very significant and the time is perfect to discuss it.

The form of democracy in practice today is quite immature and it has a long way to go before attaining the status of real democracy.

For this, citizens should have political knowledge and thorough understanding of democracy otherwise the form democracy seen today would never evolve, Dr Nara said.

Khaidem Mani said that Manipur is now a failed State.

With the party in power not adept in governance, they have been running the Government like a farcical show.

What is the point in having a Government when the party in power has little knowledge to run it.

To change the existing system of governance, it needs boldness, not just rhetoric, Mani asserted.

Prof Naorem Joykumar and Dr K Biren too spoke at the inaugural function.

During the technical session, political analyst Dr Kh Gourachandra read a paper on "Party politics: Journey of Regional Parties in Manipur since 1972", Dr Benjamin Gangmei of United College Chandel on "Ethnic politics and need of commensal life as fruit of selection" and Assam University research scholar Carsol Zamreiviao Shimrei on "Gender politics with special reference to Manipur State".

Many scholars and political activists attended the seminar.

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