No ST No Vote Campaign Committee on Wednesday declared that no support will be extended to the election campaigns in Thoubal and Kakching district under Outer Manipur Parliamentary constituency unless All Naga Students Association Manipur (ANSAM) retracts its stand against the inclusion of Meiteis into the ST list.
No ST No Vote Campaign committee Kakching district and Thoubal district president P Budhina on Wednesday said that ANSAM had issued a memorandum to Manipur Governor expressing its objection against the inclusion of Meiteis into the ST category.
He was speaking in a press conference at Keirak Makha primary school in Kakching District. The candidates of Outer Manipur Parliamentary constituency must include in their manifesto that they will work to include the Meiteis in the ST list, he said.
No other communities have the right to object against Meiteis seeking recognition as ST under the Indian Constitution, he mentioned.
He stressed that the recognition is to be given by the Indian Constitution, not by the ANSAM or the Manipur state government. The Indian Constitution will alone decide whether the Meiteis should be enlisted in the category or not, he added.
