Hero Image

Vote sensibly, Manipur Muslim bodies urge voters

IMPHAL: Muslim bodies of Mamipur have urged voters from the community to elect sensible candidates who will work towards the development and protection of the minority community.


People of the state will vote on April 11 and April 18.

The Manipur unit of Popular Front of India (PFI) said the time has come to install a strong and stable government at the Centre that is free from religious politics.

The unit's president, Md Wahidur Rahman, said a mega convention of all Muslim political parties of the nation organised by the PFI in New Delhi on March 6 discussed the current political trends and issues at length.

The Meitei Pangal (Meitei Mulsim) population in Manipur is around 2.4 lakh, accounting for 8.5% of the state 's total 28 lakh people. Their votes' count in the Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency covering the valley districts of the state. In the 60-member assembly, there are three Muslim MLAs - Abdul Nasir and Fazur Rahim Asab Udin. While Abdul and Fazur won on Congress tickets from Lilong and Wabagai assembly segments, Asab Udin, an Independent, represents the Jiribam constituency bordering Assam .

The late Md Alimuddin, who used to represent Lilong in Thoubal district , had served as Manipur chief minister for two terms. Another Muslim leader, late Abdul Salam of Congress, had served as member of the Rajya Sabha . President of the apex Muslim Council Manipur (MCM), Haji Arafat Ali, has appealed to Muslim voters to think deeply, study the candidates' integrity and then cast their votes. "We don't want any party or candidate who indulge in communal politics. We want a dynamic and neutral person who will protect the rights of the minority community," Arafat told this reporter on Wednesday.

Wahidur said the issues and challenges faced by the minority Muslims were also discussed threadbare in the New Delhi convention and resolutions pertaining to qualification of candidates, planning for development and protection of culture were adopted in it.

READ ON APP