Imphal: Lok Sabha MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam has called for greater state autonomy and political unity in Manipur, criticising state leaders for what he described as their passive compliance with directives from the Centre.

Akoijam was speaking at a public function held on October 18 at Keishampat Keisham Leikai in Imphal to commemorate the first sitting of Manipur’s first elected National Assembly in 1948.

The anniversary marks October 18, 1948, when 53 elected representatives assembled at the Darbar Hall in Imphal following elections conducted through universal adult franchise. The Assembly represented an early experiment in democratic self-governance, bringing together representatives from the hills and valley before Manipur merged with the Indian Union on October 15, 1949.

Addressing the gathering, Akoijam said the state government should exercise the powers available to it under the Constitution rather than follow central directives without question, particularly when people in Manipur are facing severe distress.

The MP said he had aligned with the Congress to counter what he described as the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) communal politics at the national level. He also claimed to have faced pressure within the All India Congress Committee (AICC) to moderate his parliamentary speeches.

Akoijam said political opponents had attempted to undermine his position by labelling him anti-India and anti-Kuki. He dismissed efforts to remove him from Parliament as political theatre and expressed confidence in the judicial process, while ruling out switching parties.

Questioning the barriers faced by leaders from Manipur in attaining prominent national roles, he challenged the perception that regional political figures could not emerge as national leaders.

Akoijam also urged voters to unite against the BJP and called on them to hold incumbent BJP legislators accountable if they contested future elections under different party banners. He said a government with a clear vision could accelerate Manipur’s development within five years.

Turning to state politics, the MP said he would work to develop the Keishamthong Assembly constituency as a model segment if elected to the state legislature. He appealed to voters to support the Congress across constituencies and called for action against electoral corruption, including displaying anti-bribery signs at residential gates.