Dimapur, January 9 (MExN): The Nagaland Pradesh Congress committee (NPCC) today expressed unhappiness that an NGO, the United Naga Council (UNC) of Manipur, issued a ‘diktat’ banning other political parties to field candidates, except those of Naga People’s Front (NPC) in the coming Manipur assembly polls. The Congress is unhappy that in a democratic set up the UNC would chose to ignore the Representation of the People’s Act, a vein of democratic sanction in India where every citizen has freewill to choose a party or candidate of his inclination.
“The diktat of the United Naga Council (UNC) in banning other political parties to field candidates in the 11 Naga dominated assembly constituencies of the ensuing Manipur state assembly election slated for 28th January 2012 was undemocratic and unconstitutional. It is an infringement on the political rights of the people guaranteed under the constitution of India. It is very unfortunate that the UNC chose to show its ignorance of the Representation of Peoples Act,” the NPCC said in a note issued to the media.
The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee is not averse to the NPF from contesting in Manipur state assembly election, the NPCC stated. ‘…as a responsible national political party, the NPCC stands by the fundamental rights of the electorates. It should be left to the electorates to choose their own representatives by free and fair means. Undemocratic election by coercion would only mean electing representatives who will not be accountable to the people.’
The Congress has expressed wonderment in what ways ‘such narrow political diktat’ would further the cause of the Nagas in Manipur because the diktat will only divide the people on party lines. “It is not wise to be hysterical in NPF contesting in Manipur State assembly election because even if the NPF wins all the 11 seats, it is very clear that they will be in the opposition. It is hoped that better sense would prevail upon the UNC to review its undemocratic diktat,” the NPCC added.
