The elections to the Autonomous District Councils for the five hill districts and Sadar Hills are long over, and the results for them declared. In the next week or so, the six ADCs will be formed. It does however seem, as in most elections under the dispensation of Indian democracy, the verdicts the electorate delivered on the day of the polling will not be altogether honoured by those elected, and there are already signs of the familiar scenario of defections and horse trading. Although the 10th Schedule does not take cognizance of grassroots governance bodies and is restricted to the affairs of the Parliament and state Assemblies, we do hope better senses prevail and unwritten principles of honouring electorate`™s wishes as expressed through the ballot is not violated. It would be such a shame if litigations and counter litigations stall the working of the ADCs and ultimately a legislation to take care of such situation becomes necessary. From the look of it, it does seem this can ultimately be the outcome. However, even if the Anti-Defection law is not applicable in this situation, arbitrators must ensure the parameters set by this law remain the guidelines of their arbitrations.
Since India follows the Anglo Saxon model of first-by-the-post electoral democracy, and voters vote for individual candidates and not the parties in fray on the polling day, the fact that Congress came out with the largest number of elected councillors overall would not be the prime deciding factor of which party gets to form the ADCs in the six individual ADC districts. Each ADC will be decided on which party won the majority in that particular ADC district. So be it. But let the decision now on who is allowed to form the ADC in each of these ADC districts, be decided on the tally of votes polled by each party and not individual councillors`™ whims that go against the people`™s verdict. Roughly, it was the Congress which had the biggest share of the pie, followed by the NPC and BJP. There were also a sizeable number of Independents. As we see it, there should be no post-poll defections allowed and the Independents should also only be allowed outside support to whichever party forms the ADC in their ADC district, or else remain in the opposition.
We also hope the ADCs once formed do not jump the mandate of the ADCs and enter into politics that can stir up bigger problems for all in the state. We hope none of the parties end up as proxies of any other groups or organisations other than their immediate voters. The wide allegations of involvement of militant groups cannot but introduce the fear that some of the ADCs won by parties supported by these militants will not be functioning independently. The nature of the violence witnessed during the campaign runs of different parties also adds to the basis for this apprehension. In particular, it is the NPF, Manipur unit, which is set to form the ADCs in at least two ADC districts and what is anticipated to be their plans ahead, which is the cause of worries amongst a great section of the people. Much of these apprehensions probably are unfounded for there are NPF candidates in the Manipur Legislative Assembly too and this has made little difference to the body polity of the state. Nonetheless it is also a harsh reality that this apprehension is fed by a history of mutual suspicion between those demanding an exclusive Naga homeland and those who would not compromise Manipur integrity at any cost. The resultant frictions have been and can again become too hot for anybody`™s comfort.
On an optimistic note, let it be remembered that sometimes what is seen as an adverse situation can actually turn into an opportunity for problem resolutions given the constructive outlooks of all the stakeholders. Maybe the presence of a party affiliated to the ruling party of Nagaland in the political arena of Manipur will provide this opportunity to thrash out issues and in a spirit of accommodation, together realise the inextricable nature of the shared destinies of the different peoples of the region as a whole.
Leader Writer: Pradip Phanjoubam