AFSPA removal in poll manifesto of NPP

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jan 23 : The National People’s Party (NPP), one of the allies of the BJP-led Government in Manipur, on Sunday released its manifesto for the upcoming Assembly election which underlined in clear cut terms that it will work towards removal of the Armed Froces Special Powers Act from Manipur.
The manifesto, titled ‘People’s Action Document 2022’, was released by NPP chief Conrad Sangma virtually along with Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar Singh, NPP State working president Jayentakumar Singh and Arunachal NPP president Mutchu Mithi.
Other than removal of AFSPA, the manifesto focuses on protection of indigenous rights, formulation of a comprehensive and sustainable economic policy, education policy, youth policy, health care, employment, infrastructure development.
Conrad Sangma said the NPP manifesto includes clear-cut stands in all aspects unlike the manifestos of other political parties.
“I strongly believe that the public will realise the NPP’s commitment and vision for the people of Manipur if any individual goes through the manifesto,” he said online.
Saying that he could not attend the launch programme physically due to the Covid pandemic, Conrad Sangma asserted that the people of Manipur will surely realize the commitment of NPP once they go through the Action Document.
At the function, Y Joykumar said that NPP will release its first list of candidates tomorrow.
Joykumar is NPP National vice president.
Informing that NPP will field around 40 candidates, including five/six candidates in hill districts, Joykumar continued that the party will comfortably win 20 to 25 seats.
None will get an absolute majority in this election, he said and added that the party  has no plan to make a post-poll alliance with other parties for the time being.
The final decision, however, will be taken after the election result is announced,  he said.
Continuing that the Action Document also emphasises on protecting the rights of the indigenous people, he added that the State Fishery Department will be upgraded if NPP comes to power. Joykumar further stated that NPP advocates “one North East, one voice,” and added that the candidates’ list may be announced in two or three different phases.
The NPP is one of the major allies of the BJP-led Manipur Government after Naga People’s Front (NPF), with both having four MLAs supporting the Government. The NPP is now left with only three MLAs after one of its legislators serving as a Minister resigned from the party to join the BJP.
The NPP is the first party to release an election manifesto in the State where voting is due to be held in two phases on February 27 and March 3.