Last Updated on February 17, 2023 by SPN Editor
Before election, people of Ukhrul are hopeful of a Cabinet Minister in the next government. Even CM Biren was confident of BJP sweeping Ukhrul district. We are also optimistic that BJP led government will return once more. People have honestly voted for BJP to get a Minister.
However, it is election,some may win and some lost. Naga People’s Front won all the three seats. NPF sweeps Ukhrul and kamjong district comprising of 3 Assembly seats – Ukhrul, Chingai and Phungyar AC.
Our MLAs are Leishiyo Keishing for 43-Phungyar AC in Kamjong district, Ram Muivah for 44-Ukhrul AC and Khashim Vashum for 45 Chingai AC in Ukhrul district. All of them are well qualified to be in Chief Minister N Biren Singh’s Council fo Ministers. They will surely help to bring the hill and valley together for a peaceful State.
The twin districts of Ukhrul and Kamjong do not have Cabinet Ministers after Yangmaso Shaiza and Rishang Keishing served as the Chief Minister of Manipur. We have a deputy speaker Mk Preshow Shimray during O Ibobi Singh’s government in 2012-2017. And a Chairman of Hill Areas Committee, Leishiyo Keishing from 2017-2022.
Ukhrul have welcomed Manipur CM with red carpet after 15 years, trusting the good governance of CM N Biren Singh and development agenda of PM Narendra Modi. It was during his election campaigned that CM N Biren has announced for a Cabinet Minister from Ukhrul in the 12th State Legislative Assembly.
We still remember the gentleman’s word of N Biren Singh when he arrived in our district in 2017. In a public meeting in our town, he said that, “My political mission is without boundary. I will try my best level to bring equal development of the hill and valley.”
Earlier, N Biren Singh was banned by Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS). However, the student body is all set to renew its relationship with the state government by lifting a three-month long social boycott of chief Minister N Biren.
“We decided to lift the social boycott because we have reached an understanding with him (CM Biren) and we are also looking forward to meeting him very shortly,” TKS president Shimri Raising was reported to have said to a local media. He also added that,”As the old government is gone and a new one has come, we want to shed all the past differences and start a fresh relationship with the new government,” he said.
They also felt deeply saddened, disappointed and betrayed by the state government for ignoring Ukhrul District by not selecting a Cabinet Minister for the past 20 years. Recent statement from N Biren Singh hinting at the induction of remaining cabinet ministers from BJP is disappointing. If CM Biren Singh inducted the remaining Ministers from BJP only, then Ukhrul/Kamjong won’t get any Ministers. We have to wait for another 5 more years. Since last 20 years, Ukhrul/Kamjong was denied Cabinet berth.
Even though one NPF Minister Awangbow Newmai is already in the Biren led govt, we expect BJP Central leaders and State unit will allot a cabinet berth to one of the MLAs from Ukhrul/Kamjong District.
The writer is an Ukhrul-based freelance writer. Contact shimraythemthing@gmail.com
