Right time to overthrow BJP Govt: Gaikhangam
Why Modi is unable to declare BJP govt corruption free: Ibobi
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 14 2022: Congress Working Committee (CWC) member and former deputy chief minister Gaikhangam has said that the present BJP led government needs to be overthrown to enable people of the state to safeguard their rights.

Gaikhangam stated this during flag hoisting ceremony of INC candidate for Saikul AC Lhingkim Haokip at the latter's residence at Koirengei on Monday.

Addressing the gathering, Gaikhangam said that the present BJP led government violates people's rights and demeans freedom of speech and hence the upcoming election is the right moment for the people to safeguard their own rights by teaching BJP a fitting lesson.

He also said that the present government distorts democratic norms.

Government is for the people but the present government muzzles people's voice and people could do nothing without taking approval of the government, he said, adding that time has come for the people to remove the government which makes the people suffer.

In her speech, Lhingkim Haokip said that people of Saikul AC elected only male representative in the past but they were unable to bring any change in the constituency.

She also said that there are numerous developmental lacunae in Saikul AC and hence decided to contest the election to bring development in the constituency.

She vowed to show her strength as a woman if people of the constituency elected her as representative in the upcoming election.

Meanwhile, former chief minister O Ibobi Singh asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi why is he unable to declare the present BJP government corruption free when he (PM) continues to criticise the previous Congress government in the state as '10 percent government' .

During an interaction with few media persons on Sunday, O Ibobi said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised the Congress government in 2017 and even termed the then government as '10 percent government' but Modi has been unable to utter a word about corruption when he visited the state recently and people of the state fully understands reason behind Modi's inability to made such an announcement.

If the Prime Minister is courageous enough, he should have declared that the BJP government has reduced 10 percent to 5 percent government or the state is free from corruption.

However, the Prime Minister was unable to declare the same as he knew fully that people of the state are aware of BJP government's corrupt practices, he said, adding that scams during the Congress government can be investigated using any agency.

Regarding fake encounter, the former chief minister said that the allegations of fake encounter were not true as maintaining law and order and saving lives and properties of the people are responsibility of a government.

No government will ever ask police to kill anyone they come across and fake encounter cases could be determined only by the Supreme Court or high court.

Prior to the Congress government, no one could venture out of homes after dusk but law and order improved after Congress government came while BJP claims credit for that, Ibobi added.

While questioning any significant development brought by BJP government in the hill districts of the state, the former chief minister said that the then Congress government not only created some new districts in both hills and valley but also constructed mini secretariats in all district headquarters.

The Congress government also constructed block and sub-diyisional offices as also district hospitals ranging from 50-bedded to 100-bedded thereby improving healthcare facilities.

The past government, also constructed mini stadiums but the present BJP government is unable to take up any significant project except construction of three Ima Keithels at the cost of Rs 5/6 crore.

Apart from launching direct benefit scheme, the past Congress government was able to make a list of employees under Manipur government and this indeed was the first in India and the state received award for the same, Ibobi recalled.

Criticising the BJP government, the former chief minister alleged that the present government wasted huge money in the name of holding state cabinet meets in the hills but did not bring any significant development in the hills.

It is the wish of the people to take up development works in the hills by holding cabinet meet in Imphal, he said, adding that people of the state do not forget Congress government's electricity reform.

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