In a press conference held in Ukhrul town on Saturday, Sword Vashum disclosed that he will be contesting in the coming state general election as Congress intending candidate for 45-Chingai (ST) assembly constituency.
Unveiling his objective for the ensuing state election, Vashum stated that restoration of foothills villages to the respective hill districts, immediate review of employment quota, implementation of Article 371C and delimitation with focus on demographic and topographic features will be his sole agenda.
Highlighting his intention to join electoral fray as a Congress candidate, he said that he decided to contest in the state general election due early next year with the intent to serve the society especially the youths.
"With politics being the most expansive means to serve the people, I decided to join the electoral fray as Congress intending candidate, said Vashum.
Recalling his background, Vashum said that he joined United Naga Council (UNC) in May, 2010 as he was invited by the body to lead the council as there was an urgent need to have an alternative arrangement.
“I joined NPF in 2012 and I was to be inducted as the party president of Manipur unit. However, three days before being inducted I quit from the party, and later switched to BJP in 2015. Due to non conformity with my principle, I took a u-turn from both parties,” said Vashum while explaining why he left both parties.
Exerting that foothill areas of the tribals had been arbitrarily annexed to the valley district, he said that this should be immediately reviewed and restored to hill districts.
Vashum further said that in respect of employment opportunities, out of the 33 percent quota share for the tribals, there should be not less than 30,000 ST employees in the state. However, only 20,000 have been enjoying the privilege leaving a gap of 10,000.
Elaborating on HAC, he said that there should be budget bifurcation for valley and hill districts and people should be enabled to know the actual budgets.
