ITANAGAR, Dec 5: The Arunachal Press Club (APC) organized a one-day symposium, ‘Face to Face,’ on the topic ‘Should Panchayat election be held along party lines or without party lines’ here at Dorjee Khandu Auditorium in the legislative assembly building on Thursday.
The symposium was divided into three sessions and the first session was on the topic ‘Political Perspective’: Views of the Representatives of Political Parties. Dr George Mathew, who is the director of the Institute of Social Sciences, New Delhi, in his keynote address said that democratization of a society is very important for a healthy democracy and also for the PR system to be successful. “The motto of PR is to give power to the people, power to those who are in the villages of our country. This was a dream of Mahatma Gandhi. He wanted all villages to grow into a republic, a village republic, become Swaraj,” he said adding that  if political parties can fight parliament and assembly elections, they should keep the option of contesting elections for local governance (PR) open. He also called for granting more power to PRI in the state. North East Social Trust (NEST) Chairperson  T A Husain  stated that PR elections should be held along the party line claiming that if there is involvement of parties in election, people can question the leader and also the one in the centre if any discrepancies arrive. Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee general secretary Bengia Hashi who is also the in-charge of Arunachal Pradesh Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Raj Sanghatan (APRGPRS) advocated for party based elections. PPA chairman Kamen Ringu said “if PR election is held in party line people will be under the command of the ruling elites and will not be allowed to take independent decisions” and   alleged that both BJP and Congress have been using PR as a tool to gain political mileage.“Let the people decide who rules them, not the political parties,” he added. Ringu also called upon the government to re-build and re-introduce the Panchayati Raj system without any political influence or interventions. There is no wrong in experimenting if it is for the interest of the people. NPP MLA Mutchu Mithi speaking on the occasion said that if election is held along party lines sometimes people with good leadership qualities misses out if he/she fails to get the party ticket.Talking about the ruling party phobia in Arunachal, Mithi said that 90 percent of MLA candidates were voted to power only because they are representing the ruling party. This, he said, has to change and it can start from the village level and through the PR elections by not involving any political parties. JD (U) MLA Hayeng Mangfi said that money culture and horse trading is killing the democratic principles in Arunachal. He added that quality of leadership is very limited in the state and there are very less legislatures who actually know the pulse of the people and who speak of pan-Arunachal. Speaking on 33 percent reservation for women in PR elections, the MLA said that the number of capable women who can contest the PR election is very less. Speaking during the second session, P G Tago, principal of Government College, Palin under Kra Daadi district and Dr Tage Kanno, project consultant, Future Generations Arunachal were of the opinion that involvement of political parties cannot be ignored and it was required. They appealed that status quo be maintained and the election be held along the party line. The secretary general of Arunachal Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Toko Tatung urged everyone instead of discussing whether the PR election should be held along party lines or not, the discussion should be held if PR system has been successful in Arunachal.  Prominent social activist Jarjum Ete questioned why state government is failing to conduct PR election though it is due since May 2018 and alleged that it breakdown of constitution.  Further she questioned whether the 33 per cent reservation for women will be applicable if the election is not held on party lines. She also opined that if election is not held along the party lines then many deserving candidates/leaders will not find space and the influential clans and families will have the final say. “If it is on party basis, one or the other party may give them a platform and nomination,” she added.

 The convenor of Arunachal Pradesh Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Raj Sanghatan (APRGPRS), Jaya Joram said that not only the PR but also the assembly election should be held in a non-political lines. Former ASM of Poma Panchayat Techi Ana speaking against party based election said that a lot of money has to be invested to get a ticket from political party and once the elections are over the parties hardly bother about the PRI leaders.
Advocate Tarh Eha, former president of Papum Pare Capital Complex District Bar Association said there should be more discussion on devolution of powers to the PRI. Speaking against party based election, Eha said the political parties has become like middlemen and divides the families and people during PR election. The debate and symposium secretary of AAPSU Marli Kamki in his deliberation stated that if there is no involvement of political parties in PR elections there will be chaos in the grassroots politics of the state. He was also of the opinion that discussion should also be on the minimum qualification required for the candidates intending to fight PR election.
There was also interactive session wherein participants put up queries to the panelists. The sessions were moderated by Nending Ommo, Assistant Professor, Government College Yachuli, Jumyir Basar, Professor, RGU and Karpu Chisi, Copy Editor of The Independent Review newspaper.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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