LJP chief asks MLA to withdraw support
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 14 2015 : Lok Jana-shakti Party (LJP) president Ram Vilas Paswan has asked Karam Shyam, the party's lone MLA in Manipur Legislative Assembly to stop supporting the ruling Congress party and sit in the Opposition bench.

Ram Vilas Paswan who is also the Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution arrived here today on a two-day official visit to the State.

At Tulihal Airport, Ram Vilas Paswan was accorded a warm reception by CAF&PD Minister M Okendro, LJP State unit president Thang-khangin Ngaite, MLA K Shyam and party workers.

Later a felicitation function was held at Puthiba ground, Lilong Chajing Mairenkhong located within Langthabal A/C.Addressing the gathering, Ram Vilas Paswan directed Karam Shyam to stop supporting the State's Congress Government immediately.

When the UPA was in power at the Centre, LJP supported the UPA Government.

In the same line, the party's lone MLA of Manipur supported the Congress Govern- ment and sat on the ruling bench.

Now LJP is an alliance of the incumbent NDA Government and its president Ram Vilas Paswan is a Cabinet Minister in the Modi Government.

As the party is currently in alliance with the NDA, the party president asked MLA Shyam to withdraw his support from the Congress Government.

Ram Vilas Paswan stated that he raised the issue of AFSPA as well as Irom Sharmila's marathon hunger strike in the Parliament several times.

"As soon as I reach Delhi, I will call on the Prime Minister and urged him to repeal AFSPA from Manipur in the collective interest of the people.

I would also submit a written representation to the Prime Minister", Ram Vilas Paswan assured.

He further assured that necessary measures would be initiated to prevent harassment and discrimination of people from the Northeastern region at Delhi.

With Prime Minister Narendra Modi committed to bring about rapid development in the North East region, all the Union Cabinet Ministers have been instructed to visit the region so as to facilitate speedy development of the region.

He said that he would convene a joint meeting of relevant officials of Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and South Assam to discuss about implementation of National Food Security Act.

Efforts are on to complete the work of laying broad gauge railway line from Lumding to Silchar by March 31 this year, Ram Vilas Paswan added.

He appealed to the gathering to elect at least 10 LJP candidates in the next Manipur Legislative Assembly election.

As advised by the party president, MLA K Shyam declared that he would withdraw his support from the Congress Government.

He also sought attention of Ram Vilas Paswan towards the collective struggle to save the life of Irom Sharmila by way of repealing AFSPA from Manipur.

Pointing out that there are many historical places within Langthabal A/C, Shyam sought Ram Vilas Paswan's cooperation in securing a special package for the Assembly segment from the Government of India.

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