Forming ADCs NPF, BJP sign coalition pact
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 25 2015 :
Despite BJP Manipur Pradesh president Th Chaoba's earlier declaration to sit on the Opposition bench the party has signed a coalition pact with NPF in order to form Autonomous District Councils in Tamenglong and Chandel collectively.
On the other hand, the State Cabinet during a meeting today discussed on the possibilities of issuing a 'gazette' soon so that swearing-in of the successful candidates can be carried out.
In order to form the council jointly, NPF and BJP formed the Democratic Alliance of Tamenglong ADC on June 17 .
A joint meeting held on the same day agreed to give the ADC Chairman's post to NPF and Vice-Chairman's post to BJP.
As for Chandel ADC, a broad agreement has been reached among 13 Members belonging to NPF, BJP and Independent Members to form the council collectively.
Likewise, NPF has completed due preparations to form councils in Ukhrul and Senapati too with the support of three and four Independent Members respectively.
Notably, NPF has already claimed its stake to form ADCs in Ukhrul, Senapati, Tamenglong and Chandel.
Speaking to media persons here today, NPF Manipur unit president Awangbow Newmai congratulated all elected ADC Members.
Although the election results were declared on June 10, the State Government has not yet initiated any process to swear in the elected Members or let them form autonomous councils.
This is a direct challenge to the very foundation of democracy, he decried.
Keeping the elected Members in a state of limbo without giving any information cannot be exonerated.
He went on to question if the State Government has any hidden agenda behind its reluctance to publish the names of the elected ADC Members in the State gazette.
Reacting to Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam's assertion that many elected ADC members are still facing different forms of threats, Awangbow asked whether the elected Members would not be allowed to form councils for months on the pretext that threats still persist.
Even if there are threats, the State Government should shoulder full responsibility expected from an elected Government.
Making cheap statements is not something expected from a Home Minister or a public leader.
The State Government has been deliberately delaying formation of Councils with a motive to take Independent Members as well as Members elected on other party tickets within the fold of Congress, Awangbow said.
The MPCC president's failure to accept Congress party's defeat in most of the ADCs evokes a serious question on Gaikhangam's calibre as a public leader.
Referring to Chief Minister O Ibobi's statement that the elected Members would be sworn in after Government nominees have been selected, the NPF leader maintained that the Governor is authorised to appoint nominees.
At the same time, there is no hard and fast rule which says that Government nominees should be appointed without fail.
Conveying that NPF has submitted a written representation to the Governor today for early swearing-in ceremony and formation of councils without any further delay, Awangbow expressed strong suspicion that the State Government has been taking undue advantage of the Governor's special discretionary power regarding administrative matters related to hill districts.
It would not be right to make the ADCs function from elsewhere rather than at their respective district headquarters in the name of law and order.
If the Government is committed to peace, it should act in accordance with the pulse of the public, he asserted.
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