Ahead of by polls : Joy hits back at Dy CM
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 11 2015: Reacting sharply against Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam's 'old-age home' remark on BJP, seasoned politician O Joy, who recently joined the BJP, has questioned the MPCC president whether Congress is a 'marriage bureau for old-aged people' if he has to name the saffron party as an old-age home.

Significantly by elections to Thangmeiband Assembly Constituency and Thongju Assembly Constituency are scheduled to be held on November 21 .

Addressing a press conference at BJP Manipur Pradesh's Nityaipat Chuthek office, O Joy said that politics has no age limit and everybody can serve people through politics as long he/she wishes.

Sarcastically saying that Assembly is not a labour room, Joy observed that it is a temple of democracy where debates on important issues are conducted and laws enacted.

O Joy of the BJP and MPCC president and Dy CM Gaikhangam

He also said that election is an important process of democracy wherein parties and candidates share their views on public issues through constructive criticisms and debates.

Reacting against Gaikhangam's opinion that said Manipur would be broken into pieces if BJP is voted to power, O Joy reminded that it was Jawaharlal Nehru of the Congress who gave away Kabaw valley to Myanmar.

He added that Gaikhangam had given his assent to Naga integration by signing the memorandum submitted to the Centre in 2005 and it was a Congress MP who had recently urged the Centre to divide Manipur into two different States to resolve the current imbroglio.

Rebutting Gaikhangam's claim that he signed 'Naga integration' memorandum under duress, O Joy questioned how NSCN (IM) cadres could enter Manipur Bhavan in New Delhi with arms.

O Joy threatened the Deputy Chief Minister that he would make details of the get-together hosted by some underground outfits in 2005 public if Gaikhangam fails to clarify on the get-together at the earliest.

O Joy said that he believes in regionalism and he has not joined politics for power or Ministership.

Joy said that he is pleased with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's move of giving priority to the development of North East region as the people of the region have endured the neglect of Congress for many years.

Narendra Modi's statement - 'India would not become developed until NE region is developed' - has testified that the new Prime Minister loves the region, O Joy opined.

Later, BJP Manipur Pradesh president Th Chaoba formally announced O Joy's entry into the saffron party.

Speaking at the occasion, Chaoba expressed confidence that BJP would come out victorious in both the seats in the upcoming by-election.

BJP State general secretary (Administration) M Ashinikumar said that BJP is the only party which can end the 13 year's supremacy of Congress in the State.

As many seasoned politicians have joined BJP, the party is now fully confident that it would accomplish its objective soon, he said.

Instead of indulging in a verbal war, BJP is ready to have a debate on major issues on a public platform with the Deputy Chief Minister, Ashinikumar said.