CM hardsells Cong's ideology
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 12 2014:
Joining the by election campaign, Chief Minister O Ibobi today reached out to the people of Hiyanglam Assembly Constituency trumpeting the secular credentials of the Congress party.
Speaking at an election rally for Congress candidate E Dwijamani at Sekmaijin Khunou Area Public Ground today evening, the Chief Minister said that Manipur is home to a number of communities, each professing its own religious beliefs and practices.
There is nothing wrong with this and the Congress has been treating all religious beliefs equally, stated the Chief Minister and added that even the Constitution of the country has underlined this point.
If the Congress candidate is elected then the people will know what the party is capable of, even if the tenure is short, added the Chief Minister.
The by election to Hiyanglam Assembly Constituency was necessitated by the sudden demise of then sitting MLA M Kunjo.
In response to a memorandum submitted to him during the election campaign, the Chief Minister said that he would not do anything against the election code of conduct and instead asked the people to wait and see what is done, if the Congress candidate is elected.
The Chief Minister said that in the House of 60, the Congress enjoys an absolute majority with 47 MLAs.
If Dwijamani, the Congress candidate, is elected then more muscle and courage will be added to the Congress, he added.
MPCC president and Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam who was also present said that the Congress party is disciplined and does not believe in
money power.
Taking pot shots at the BJP candidate, Gaikhangam said that the candidate has forsaken the party of his own father and added that this would not be able to win over the elders of society.
Gaikhangam said that the Congress Government has taken up a number of developmental works in the hills and valley.
That the State unit president of the BJP has stated that he has not seen any developmental projects being taken up in the State is ample proof that he is either blind or not sensitive enough, added the Deputy Chief Minister.
More over the State BJP leader is a well known party hopper said Gaikhangam.
Taking digs at the AITC candidate, Gaikhangam said that he too has been a known party hopper.
This time card holders of the CPI have pledged not to vote for him, added the Deputy Chief Minister.
A number of Congress Ministers and MLAs including the Chairman of Hill Areas Committee took part in the election meeting.