Imphal: Former Manipur Chief Minister and Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Okram Ibobi Singh has called for greater representation of women in politics and decision-making institutions.
Speaking at a political conference on “Empowerment of Women in Politics” at Kasom Khullen in Kamjong district on Saturday, Ibobi Singh highlighted what he described as the gap between women’s strong participation in social and economic movements in Manipur and their limited representation in electoral politics.
He noted that women in the state have historically played a significant role in social and economic activism and have also recorded high voter participation. However, their representation in the 60-member Manipur Legislative Assembly remains limited, he said.
The conference was organised by the Phungyar Block and the Manipur Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee under the leadership of MPCC working president Victor Keishing.
Speaking on the need for greater political participation, Ibobi Singh said sustainable development required women to have equal opportunities to participate in local governance, state legislatures and Parliament.
He also referred to the Congress party’s stated commitment to increasing women’s representation in political and administrative institutions, including its support for a 30 per cent reservation for women at different levels of governance.
With the state Assembly elections approaching, Ibobi Singh urged voters to assess the performance of their elected representatives and question them about development in their constituencies.
He also appealed to voters to support the Congress in the upcoming Assembly elections and sought grassroots support for Victor Keishing, who is an intending candidate.
The conference was attended by several senior Congress and Mahila Congress leaders, including All India Mahila Congress president Alka Lamba, Sugnu MLA K. Ranjit, Khangabok MLA Okram Kenedy and national Mahila Congress secretaries Aditha and Barnali.
Former minister K. Ratankumar, MPCC vice-president L. Tilotama, Manipur Mahila Congress president M. Sharma, NSUI president Joyson Khoho and senior party leaders John Panmei, P. Bankim Chandra Meitei, Amir Hussain, R. Thiampuina, Cosmic Jajo and Allahudin were also present.