BJP rebuts Dy CM's statement : 'We are committed to secularism'
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 14 2015:
Reacting to the statement of Dy CM Gaikhangam who said that BJP is a threat to secularism, BJP Manipur Pradesh secretary (Adm), M Ashnikumar has termed it groundless and 'irresponsible' .
Addressing media persons today at its office located at Nityapat Chuthek, the State BJP secretary said that the statement of the Dy CM which labelled the BJP as a party which is antithesis to secularism was misleading.
The BJP is not only a party committed to holistic, comprehensive and integrated policy, but is also a secular party which treat all communities equally, Asnikumar said.
The religion of the BJP is the Constitution of India, he further asserted.
He accused the Congress party of furthering corruption and added that there is no transparency in governance during the 13 years of Congress regime in the State.
The Congress party sent 104 members to the ADCs in the last term.
However, the party could only secure 48 seats in the ADC elections held in May this year.
Besides, the BJP severely defeated Congress in the recently held by-elections in Thongju and Thangmeiband ACs.
These are nothing but a reflection and manifestation of the unpopularity of the Congress in the State, Ashnikumar asserted.
The Congress legislators and members started making unfounded and wild allegations against the BJP out of desperation, he maintained.
He further said that the BJP will field 291 candidates in the Municipal Council and Nagar Panchayat elections to be held in January next year.
The results of the local bodies elections will have great bearings on the Assembly election slated to be held in 2017; he added.
As the party's efforts to ensure victory in the coming Municipal Council and Nagar Panchayat elections, the party has formed 'State Election Management Committee of BJP Manipur Pradesh,' under the chairmanship of State BJP president Th Chaoba, he said.
Ex-Minister O Joy will be the co-chairman of the 19-member committee, he said.
The BjP will fight the elections under the slogan 'Support BJP, Save Manipur,' he said.
The 13 years of misrule under the Congress in the State will be exposed after defeating the Congress in the coming elections, Ashnikumar added while appealing to voters to cast their votes in favour of the BJP.
Taking strong exception to the slew of diatribes launched by Dy CM and MPCC president Gaikhangam against the BJP, Ashnikumar accused the Congress of masking itself with secularism and playing vote bank politics.
It is a shame that the Dy CM makes tall claims and irresponsible statements when there are many shortages and no development in his constituency, he said.
Corruption, commission and communal are the hidden political agenda pursued by the Congress, he alleged.
He urged all concerned to root out the Congress in the State so that people are no more deprived of their democratic and other rights.
It is reported that BJP National General Secretary Ram Madhav would be coming to the State on December 16 .