Imphal, October 20: Republican Party of India (RPI-Athawale) Manipur State Committee president Maheshwar Thounaojam has said today that the people of Manipur are beginning to realize the need to look beyond the traditional major political parties, which he described as “controlled by their high commands” and disconnected from local realities.
During a gathering and reception of ‘Ima 108’ (group of 108 women) also the women wing of RPI (A) Manipur, Maheshwar made the statement at the Meipa Complex, Keishamthong assembly constituency. Adding that the event reflects the growing awareness among citizens that real political change will only come through parties rooted in Manipur’s regional identity.
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He stated, “Since Manipur’s merger with India in 1949, national parties like Congress and BJP have dominated the political space. But people now clearly see how these high-command-driven parties have failed to address Manipur’s real issues. The people’s patience has limits.”
The meeting was attended by around 300 women members from across 40 polling stations under Keishamthong assembly constituency. IMA 108 president Ashem Jiballata chaired the event, during which members resolved to strengthen women’s political participation at the grassroots level.
Maheshwar further said that Manipur’s present challenges are not new, but a result of long-standing dependency on external political control. “Our problems today are rooted in decisions made far away from Manipur. That is why regional voices must rise, so that our future is decided here, not elsewhere,” he asserted.
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He added that political parties boasting of majority strength often forget that their directions come from Delhi, leaving little room for addressing state-specific concerns. “The high commands of Congress and BJP are not familiar with Manipur’s ground realities. Their representatives here simply follow instructions,” Maheshwar remarked.
The RPI (A) leader emphasized that the time has come for regional and independent parties to assert their presence, as national parties have failed to negotiate effectively for Manipur’s interest. “When parties are answerable to Delhi, they cannot bargain for Manipur,” he noted.
Referring to the IMA 108 women’s wing, Maheshwar clarified that it is not just another political front but a movement for empowerment and inclusion. “We want our mothers to be politically aware and to participate in decision-making. Women have always been at the forefront of every movement in Manipur. Now, they will also be part of shaping its political destiny,” he said.
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He concluded by saying that RPI (A) Manipur is steadily emerging as a regional political alternative, grounded in local aspirations and dedicated to real solutions. “Manipur’s future depends on those who work with sincerity and courage, not on parties that take orders from high commands,” he said, urging citizens to unite for a new political beginning.
(Newmai News Network)