Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 23:
Launching a scathing attack on the alleged failure of the AICC to resolve the almost two months long leadership crisis within the State Congress Legislature Party, leader of the Opposition group and president of the State Nationalist Congress Party Radhabinod Koijam has stated that the crisis has worsened the law and order situation bringing the administration to the brink of collapse.
Addressing a press conference at the party office at Khoyathong here today, Radhabinod said that so far the leadership crisis within the Congress Legislature Party is being viewed as the private affair of the Congress party.
However, the failure of the AICC to resolve the issue till date has shown that the Congress party does not respect Manipur and does not mind neglecting the welfare of its people.
Decrying the attitude of some Ministers who are trying to take advantage of the ongoing campaign of the dissident MLAs to oust Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, Radhabinod observed that these Ministers should give up their posts if they really support the dissident group.
Charging the Congress party with not making any sincere attempts to bring about better governance in the State, the Opposition leader pointed out that it is due to lack of co-ordination within the different arms of the Government in taking up developmental work that Imphal city is in a mess today.
The hike of just 20 percent in the State plan allocation has shown that the Government is a total failure and it would not be able to carry out any developmental work properly, he said.
Inspite of the huge amount of fund provided by the UPA Government at the Centre, the same has been siphoned off though Akash bills thus leading to a situation where the utilisation certificates could not be submitted in time and the quality of the work controlled.
If the manner of executing the work by the Government in the capital Imphal city itself is not to the satisfaction of the people, then the situation prevailing in far flung and remote hill areas of the State can be easily understood, the Opposition leader said.
On the issue of law and order, Radhabinod said inspite of completing one year in power, the SPF Government seems to have given up its hand on the law and order which is in its worst state now.
Demanding a white paper on the strategies that have been worked out by the Government to improve the law and order situation in the State so far, if there is any, Radhabinod asserted that not even a single criminal case has been investigated and solved properly.
It is time for all the political parties in the State to come together and work towards bringing about a political solution to the problem of insurgency in the State, he said, adding that in fact, the Chief Minister should take up responsibility and translate it in action.
Expressing happiness over the low turn of people at the recent Statehood Day celebration, Radhabinod disclosed he had not received any invitation card as an Opposition leader nor his party has received any.
Whether invitation cards had been extended to other political parties or not should be investigated for taking up necessary action, he suggested.
While informing about his appointment as the chairperson of NCP North East Co-ordination Committee and member of the party's National Working Committee, Radhabinod reaffirmed party's commitment toward the demand for removal of AFSPA from Manipur and a detail project report on the proposed Tipaimukh Dam project.
He also suggested that the upcoming Budget session of the should be live telecast so that the people of the State can be involved in the discussion of the developmental activities.
Continuing his attack, Radhabinod said that the fund released by the UPA Govt is not reaching out to the real beneficiaries, the developmental works are not being able to complete within the set target and there is lack of quality control.
Moreover, as the meeting of the State Level Committee had been convened only once, the preparation of the DPR on Power, Water Supply and other projects which are part of the Imphal City Project under JNURM has been unduly delayed, he charged.