BJP will win only 15 seats: O Ibobi
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, March 05 2022:
As the second phase of election to the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly culminated on Saturday, exChief Minister and Thoubal AC INC candidate Okram Ibobi has stated that BJP's intention of taking over power by force will not come into fruition as it will be winning only 15 seats.
The former CM accompanied by his son, Khangabok AC MLA O Surajkumar cast their votes at polling station 35/42 Athokpam Makha Primary School in Thoubal district on Saturday morning.
Speaking to newspersons, Ibobi remarked that idea of governing the people by force using money and muscle power will not last.
If the elections were held in a free and fair manner, people of Thoubal and Kakching districts will be on the side of Congress.
The counting day on March 10 will ascertain how much seats BJP will win compared to its claim.
The ex-CM continued: "BJP claims that its will win over 40 seats.
However, it is very likely that it would be winning only 12-13 seats, which will be testament of the so called achievements of the 5-year rule of BJP government in the state and 8 years at the centre.
If one is to be positive, BJP will win around 15 seats at the maximum and nothing more".
Regarding Thoubal constituency, Ibobi said that the elections in the state are of multi-party system.
There is no issue in having 1-2 or more candidates, as it gives the voters an opportunity to examine which party and candidate is better.
Owing to logistics issues, the elections seem to be held into two phases.
However, a small state like Manipur only needs one day to hold elections.
"As such, it is hard to understand on what basis the government decided to hold the elections in two phases.
Since the BJP government knows that the people of Kakching and Thoubal districts are pro-Congress, several union ministers visited the districts for election campaign.
They have the right to campaign where they want to but the frequency of visits shows BJP's understanding that the people in the two districts are averse to the party.
BJP's modus operandi is to seize power by any means possible," the ex-CM remarked, while condemning BJP of being undemocratic and breaking the Model Code of Conduct.