Md. Alimuddin, the first Chief Minister of Manipur (after attainment of Statehood) was remembered on the occasion of his 27th death anniversary. The function was organised at the Central Hall of Lilong Haoreibi College, in Lilong by the 27th Death Anniversary Celebration Committee of Manipur People’s Party (MPP). Md. Alimuddin was then the leader of this party. The function, attended by party MLAs, workers and Muslim leaders, commenced with recitation of the Holy Qur’an. The welcome address was delivered by the Treasurer of MPP, Md. Ayub Khan.
Speaking on the occasion, MPP President and Chief Guest of the function, Dr L Chandramani described Md. Alimuddin as the only political leader of Manipur who ruled the state astutely along with farsightedness and the question of integrity of Manipur in mind. “He was a farsighted leader who made remarkable contributions during his tenure as the Chief Minister. In fact, there has been no one like him in the political history of Manipur,” he added.
Guest of Honour of the function and a veteran MLA of the party, Okram Joy also hailed Md. Alimuddin as the architect, who laid the foundation of modern Manipur. He also acknowledged Md. Alimuddin as a true leader of the party who not only advocated self-reliance and dignity but sacrificed his life to the cause of the people. He added that MPP is a brainchild of Md. Alimuddin. Okram Joy also mentioned in his speech that during his short stint as the Chief Minister Md. Alimuddin accomplished many tasks like establishment of Manipur University, Board of Secondary Education Manipur and declaration of August 13 (Patriots’ Day) as state holiday, among others. Okram Joy remembered that the Manipur public especially women potfambis (vendors) of Khwairamband Bazar, women’s market in Imphal, shed tears when Md. Alimuddin’s government was toppled by the Congress. The party leaders announced that MPP is planning to set up a memorial at Lilong in honour of Md. Alimuddin.
Md. Alimuddin was born to Haji Md. Saheruddin in 1920 at Lilong Haoreibi Turel Ahanbi, Lilong. He had his early education from Maharaj Churachand Higher Secondary School. In 1942 he married Manera Begum. He was elected from the Lilong Assembly Constituency for the first time to the Manipur State Legislative Assembly election, held in 1948, at a very tender age of 28. It was a historic election for Manipur in two ways – one, it was the first election held in Manipur on the basis of adult franchise; and two, it was held before Manipur was merged to the Indian Union.
It may be recalled that constitutional monarchy was established in Manipur under the Manipur State Constitution Act, 1947. Chapter IV of the Act laid down that a 53-member State Assembly shall be constituted with an elected member on the basis of adult franchise for a period of three years. In this historic election three other Muslim candidates – Md. Sulaiman Mia, Md. Amjad Ali and Md. Abdul Kadir Khan – were also elected. In the Council of Ministers formed in November 1948 Md. Alimuddin became a member, in-charge of Jail and Medical.
Manipur was formally merged with the Indian Union on October 15, 1949 as a Part-C state, and came under the administration of Chief Commissioner with an Advisory Council. Md. Alimuddin was a member of the 14-member Advisory Council.
Md. Alimuddin was also elected in the subsequent Assembly/Council elections held in 1952, 1957, 1962, 1967, 1972 and 1974. He was one of the prominent leaders who led the state-wide agitation demanding statehood. Manipur People’s Party was founded in the course of the agitation in December 1968. In 1972 Manipur got Statehood. Assembly elections were held soon after. An MPP-led government was formed. Md. Alimuddin was elected Chief Minister of Manipur from March 1972 to March 1973.
However, dissensions soon cropped up in the government, a no-confidence motion was moved by the opposition, and Assembly was dissolved in March 1973. Mid-term election was held in early 1974. Md. Alimuddin again returned as Chief Minister of Manipur in March 1974. It too was short-lived. Dissention and defection of ruling MLAs led Md. Alimuddin to resign in July 1974. He later became Speaker of the State Assembly from December 1974 to September 1975.
During his short stint as Chief Minister of Manipur he accomplished many things. He inaugurated Jawaharlal Nehru University Centre in November 1972, at Canchipur, which later developed into Manipur University. The University now acquires the status of Central University. He also inaugurated the Regional Institute of Medical Science (RIMS), at Lamphel, on September 1972. Manipur Public Service Commission (MPSC) was also inaugurated during his tenure, in October 1972. He also paid due attention to agricultural development in the state. Many dams and water supply depot for irrigation were erected in various parts of Manipur during his tenure. Double cropping technique of rice cultivation was introduced in the state during his time.
Md. Alimuddin took keen interest in the education progress of the Muslims in the state. He accorded recognition to many schools located in Muslim dominated areas. He was one of the founding members of Lilong Haoreibi College, the only college located in the Muslim dominated areas. It was founded in 1976.
Md. Alimuddin died on February 3, 1983 at the age of 63. His son, Md. Allauddin, and son-in-law, Dr. Maneruddin Sheikh, also entered politics. Md. Allauddin was elected twice in the Assembly Elections from the Lilong Assembly Constitution, in 1985 and 2000. Dr. Maneruddin Sheikh was elected from the same constituency in the 2002 Assembly Election, and became the Speaker of the State Assembly.