Manipur govt approves Cong Nyay Yatra with limited number of participants, no final call by party
Imphal, Jan 10: The Manipur government Wednesday approved the venue for the flagging off of the proposed January 14 Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra "with limited number of participants."
The approval by the Manipur government came eight days after the Congress approached it for flagging off the yatra from Hapta Kangjeibung ground here.
The order issued by the Imphal East district magistrate's office said, "Only flagging off of the Yatra with limited number of participants is hereby allowed on January 14 to prevent any untoward incident and disturbance in law and order. The number and name of the participants shall be provided in advance to this office to enable this office to take up all necessary precautionary measures".
The order said that the Imphal East district superintendent of police has submitted a report stating that a huge crowd is expected during the opening ceremony of Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra at the venue. In view of prevailing law and order situation in the state, the huge gathering may create law and order problems.
"Moreover prohibiton under Section 144 Cr PC is also in force in Imphal East district," it added.
The prohibitory order has been in force in the area since the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur broke out on May 3. The violence has claimed about 185 lives and left hundreds injured.
The order also said that the joint secretary of the home department has conveyed that agencies concerned have mentioned in their report that the matter is sensitive and needs special attention, specially in the context of the prevailing law and order situation in the state. Also the state function for the commemoration of Armed Forces Veteran Day is scheduled to be held on that day.
Meanwhile, the Congress is yet to take a final call on the flagging off of its Yatra in the wake of the state government decision to allow the rally with limited number of participants.
AICC Mallikarjun Kharge and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi are slated be present on the occasion and participate in the Yatra.
"We have seen the order. Senior leaders of the party will take a final decision on the matter. The restrictions (in the order) may hinder the purpose of the yatra," a senior Congress leader told PTI.
"We have less than four days left for the flagging off of the Yatra and arrangements have to be made at the venue. We will soon take the decision on whether to consider the terms set by Manipur government or to choose another place," he added.
Earlier in the day Congress delegates had met Chief Minister N Biren Singh at the secretariat.
The 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' is scheduled to traverse 6,713 km in buses and on foot. It will cover 110 districts, 100 Lok Sabha seats and 337 assembly segments in 66 days and culminate in Mumbai on March 20.
The Yatra is scheduled to reach Nagaland on January 15 and after moving through four districts enter Assam on January 18.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
