Morung Express News
February 28 | Dimapur
TWO NEWLY elected Naga independent MLAs to the Manipur Legislative Assembly today vouched their support to the United Naga Council, despite the fact they did not contest as ‘consensus candidates.’ Khanthuanang Panmei of Tamenglong A/c and M Thohrii of Mao A/c have attested their support for pushing forward common agenda, UNC President Paul Leo said.
This was arrived at during a UNC-called meeting in Thungjoy, Senapati today where elected Naga MLAs were invited. Though Panmei could not attend the meeting, he communicated his support to the UNC, Leo informed. “Eight (MLAs) will be within our fold,” he said. As an outcome of today’s meeting, the new political organization under the banner of United Naga Democratic Alliance, or UNDA, was formally floated. The alliance will formulate work programs and chart a course to be followed.
Though defeated, former MLA Samuel Jendai, who was outdone by Panmei, will continue to work with the UNC because of his “magnanimity”, Leo added. The UNC has conceded defeat of the Chandel A/c to their “Kuki brethren.”
The two other seats where consensus candidates lost are now in the grip of the Congress, and as such, working together with the elected MLAs of these two constituencies is a long shot. The UNC had, before the elections, put up candidates in 11 constituencies.
The 8 MLAs are expected to raise issues before the floor of the Manipur Assembly and also don the roles of delegates by visiting Delhi, Nagaland, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and other areas to push forward the integration of Naga areas and to work for an early solution to the protracted Indo-Naga issue.
Another MLA absentee in today’s meeting was Wunganoshang Keishing, said to be down with an upset stomach.
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