People's mandate to continue in power, asserts Gaikhangam
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 06 2012: Beaming with joy at the landslide victory achieved by Congress party, MPCC president Gaikhangam who also retained his Nungba seat has asserted that the people have given their mandate to the Congress to continue in power for the third consecutive term.

Echoing the same tone, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi stated that the Congress party could achieve such a resounding victory because of people's faith in the last coalition Government led by the Congress.

Talking about the next Chief Minister, Ibobi stated that he may or may not return as Chief Minister of Manipur.

The one elected by Congress legislators would be the next Chief Minister.

As for the next Government, there is no need for inviting any other party for Congress has achieved absolute majority, Ibobi stated.

Soon after declaration of the election results, Congress Working Committee and Manipur in-charge Luzinho Faleiro and Health Minister, Government of Assam Hemant Biswas arrived at Imphal this afternoon to confer on forming the next Government.

Conveying gratitude to the people of Manipur for ensuring absolute majority to Congress party, Gaikhangam stated that the election results undeniably testified people's confidence in Congress party.

On a high : Gaikhangam

"Congress party's victory is people's victory and the people believe in democracy.

Congress party would always work in such a way that it never betrays people's trust", Gaikhangam stated.

He also attributed the party's historic success to the stable Government for the last ten years and its ability to transform into action what it promised to the people.

What the party promised in 2002 and 2007 were transformed into action in due course of time.

People elected Congress party to a landslide victory because the people have trust in the party, he added.

He said that Congress would not rush to form the next Government but follow all the traditions and rules of the party.

On being asked if there would be any crisis while electing the CLP leader in view of the apparent divisions among the elected Congress MLAs, some of whom have been camping at Chief Minister's bungalow while some others have been putting up at Congress Bhavan, Gaikhangam ruled out any internal crisis.

There would be no difference of opinion among the Congress MLAs.

He informed that a reception function would be held at Congress Bhavan tomorrow in honour of the newly elected Congress MLAs.

Meanwhile, Luzinho Faleiro and Hemant Biswas have started consultation with party leaders on electing a new CLP leader as well as the formation of the next Government.