Various tribes within Kuki-Zo communities have made their stance clear in support of INDIA Bloc's consensus Candidate, Alfred K. Arthur in the upcoming 18th Lok Sabha polls for reserved (ST) seat of Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency.
Various tribe councils have announced that all members would cast their valuable votes against N. Biren Singh, the incumbent communal chief minister of Manipur; thus, opting for the Indian National Congress (INC) Candidate, Alfred.
Even though the apex body of Kukis- Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) is yet to make its directive, the Kuki Inpi branches in different districts and other tribal bodies, however, have declared their standpoint, choice of party and candidate for the upcoming polls.
The Mizo People's Convention (MPC) issued a circular on Wednesday declaring its support to the Congress candidate. The decision was reportedly taken during the executive meeting of MPC on April 5, while urging the Mizo people in Manipur to cast their vote for the Congress candidate.
Earlier, the United Zou Organisation (UZO) had also declared its support to Congress candidate Arthur, and urged members of the Zou community to unitedly cast their vote for the consensus Candidate.
The Vaiphei People's Council (VPC) on Wednesday declared its support to the Congress candidate, Arthur. The decision was reportedly taken during a meeting of the VPC General Headquarters cabinet, Young Vaiphei Association General Headquarter, Zillai General Headquarter, politician and intellectuals on April 6. The Council urged Vaiphei tribe populace to abide with the decision taken on April 6, 2024.
On Tuesday, the Kuki Inpi Churachandpur (KIC) issued a directive asking its people to vote against N. Biren Singh and his alliance partner. It also urged the people to vote unitedly as a show of resentment against the current "oppressive regime”.
In its directive, the KIC clarified various rumours circulating on social media regarding the 18th Lok Sabha election that it would be 'boycotted' or 'NOTA' would be pressed in this ensuing 18th Lok Sabha election. It affirmed that the organization is taking the best decision for the Kuki people which is in line with the resolution taken in the Special Assembly of Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) earlier this month.
The KIC also requested all Church leaders to uphold in their prayers so that a party that allows freedom of religions is elected and a party supported by N. Biren Singh is defeated in this election. The directive further urged people to exercise their franchise rights on the day of election. It also asked the people to stay vigilant and not fall prey to the deceptive tactics of N. Biren Singh and his cohorts.
Meanwhile, the Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills (Kangpokpi district) had directed its members of the Kuki community in Sadar Hills to abstain from participating in the upcoming Lok Sabha election.
The Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills made it clear that their approach to the Lok Sabha polls is not about "boycotting" but rather opting to "abstain from voting." It instructed all village chiefs and Kuki-Zo individuals to adhere to the joint resolution of abstaining from voting.
It may be mentioned that there are four candidates for the Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency including BJP-backed NFP candidate Kachui Timothy Zimik, Congress candidate Alfred Kanngam Arthur, and two Independent candidates, S. Kho John and Dr. Alyson Abonmai.
The four candidates are from different tribes under the Naga community in Manipur. Kachui Timothy Zimik and Alfred Kanngam Arthur belong to the Tangkhul tribe from Ukhrul district, S. Kho John belongs to the Poumai tribe from Senapati district and Alyson Abonmai of Liangmai tribe from Kangpokpi district.
The Hills Journal
K. Salbung, Churachandpur
Manipur-795128
