Newmai News Network
Imphal | October 8
The People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA), a Manipur hill based democratic party, has announced its decision to take part in the Autonomous District Council (ADC) election of Manipur scheduled to be held in November.
In a press statement issued by its president L Seth, the PDA party said it is a "home based regional party" with a vision to strengthen democracy at the grass root level, to improve the accountability of the institution of the ADCs and to deliver justice and provide transparent government at the grass root level.
According to the party, over the years, the ADCs, "the grass root level democratic institution in the hills" of Manipur, have been functioning under the "shadow and influence" of the national parties without any clear vision and commitment to empower the ADCs. "As such, the grass root level leaders have been struggling to stand up on their feet and to make their voice reach the decision makers in the government," it added.
It then alleged that, in most of the occasions, the national parties have failed to clearly spell out their visions and commitment specifically for the development of the hill areas. "Moreover, the state leaders of the national parties had been blatantly opposing the upgradation and empowerment of the Local Self Government with more power and privileges guaranteed by the constitution", the PDA party further alleged.
Till date, according to the press note, even after more than four decades, some basic subjects are still withheld by the state government from being handed over to the ADCs.
It then said a time has come for the hill leaders at the grass root level to build a strong and collective voice to strengthen and upgrade the grass root level institution which was formed under the provision of Article 371-C.
The PDA party then urged the tribal youth leaders to come forward to shoulder varied responsibilities to strengthen the grass root level institutions "in order to improve our living standards, to bring about effective management of our rich biodiversity and to make our land productive through sustainable development methods".
The PDA party then appealed to all the tribal people to wake up "from their slumber" and also leave behind their differences and come forward to take up the "yoke to free themselves from social, economic and political suppressions of the government".
