File photo: Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam
NEW DELHI: Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam on Sunday said he was willing to contest next year's Manipur Assembly elections from the Keishamthong constituency if the party offered him a ticket, as he faces a sexual harassment case and has been dismissed from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).Speaking at an event, the Inner Manipur MP said his decision to enter the electoral contest would be guided by the future of the state."I am ready to fight elections from Keishamthong (in Imphal West district). If the party offers me a ticket, I will contest the Keisamthong assembly constituency. This decision is for the future of the state," Akoijam said, according to news agency PTI.The Manipur Assembly elections are due next year.His remarks come amid an ongoing police investigation into sexual harassment allegations against him and his dismissal from JNU, where he was a professor at the Centre for the Study of Social Systems under the School of Social Sciences.
and police investigation
Akoijam was dismissed from the university on October 9 following an inquiry into allegations of sexual harassment. He has denied the charges and described the university's action as a "witch hunt", claiming he was not given an opportunity to respond to the inquiry committee's findings.
Delhi Police booked him on October 11 following a complaint by JNU's chief security officer. He recently appeared before investigators at the Vasant Kunj North Police Station in New Delhi in connection with the case.At least 11 female students submitted complaints against Akoijam in May. They alleged that he invited students to his campus residence on the pretext of meetings or gatherings and attempted to harass them.
Some students also alleged that he made obscene and inappropriate remarks in class.After appearing before investigators, Akoijam said he intended to challenge his dismissal legally.Speaking to reporters in Imphal on Friday, he said his lawyers were preparing the case and that he would file it within a day or two.He also said he had cooperated with the police and would continue to do so, while requesting adequate notice for any further questioning because of his responsibilities as an MP.
Akoijam says Manipur's wider crisis needs attention
During his remarks to the media, Akoijam also urged greater attention to the wider situation in Manipur, including the plight of internally displaced people, lawlessness and issues surrounding buffer zones."Thousands of people are languishing in relief camps. I don’t think my pain is anything greater than the pain of these people," he said, while alleging that the action against him was an attempt to silence his voice.
The MP had earlier said, "Justice will be done," before travelling to New Delhi to join the police investigation.The allegations have also triggered political reactions in the state. BJP workers staged a protest outside Congress Bhavan in Imphal, demanding Akoijam's resignation and accusing him of bringing disrepute to Manipur. Police prevented the protesters from entering the premises.Congress spokesperson Hareshwar Goshwami described the protest as a diversionary tactic and accused the ruling party of deflecting attention from killings and the crisis in the state.Akoijam has maintained that the allegations against him are false and has challenged the process that led to his dismissal. The sexual harassment allegations remain under investigation.