Cong demands conduct of IMC, ULBs elections
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, April 13 2022:
Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) spokesperson Ningombam Bhupenda has informed that the party has been urging the BJP government to conduct the elections for Imphal Municipal Corporation (IMC) and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), which have been delayed till date.
Addressing a press meet held at Rishang Keishing Hall of Congress Bhawan here on Wednesday, Bhupenda stated that the Constitution of India stipulates conduct of elections after every 5 years.
As Covid-19 pandemic has subsided, the state held its assembly elections but has delayed the polls for IMC and 26 ULBs for over a year now, citing the pandemic.
It is unfortunate that the election has been delayed for over 5 years, he said, while condemning the act of depriving the people living under the jurisdiction of IMC and ULBs of their voting rights.
He then demanded that the election be held at the earliest so as to empower the said bodies and assist in the development of the state.
Bhupenda also remarked that the reappointment of chairpersons, whose terms have ended, as caretakers and in-charges chairperson, is against the law.
The government is trying to fool the people by delaying the elections of IMC and ULBs on the pretext of the pandemic.
MPCC State Legal Services chairman Sanoujam Shyamcharan had filed a PIL at the Manipur High Court against the prolonged delay of the elections, the hearing of which will be held on May 16.The people would finally get the opportunity to vote for electing their representatives once the election is held, he added.
Responding to a query regarding the arrest of MPCC spokesperson S Shyamcharan for his comments made during a live discussion programme of Impact TV, party's advocate Rabikhan stated that the Supreme Court has a ruling preventing arbitrary arrests of a practising advocate.
Despite this ruling, the state government sent the police to arrest Shyamcharan from his house in the dead of the night, which is highly condemnable.
However, the court granted bail to Shyam charan on Tuesday, making it clear that his comments did not meant any harm, as was alleged.
Congress party will not ignore the BJP government's arbitrary arrests and detention of innocent people, just for speaking against it (government).
Congress will taking further legal action in this matter, Rabikhan said, while remarking that the party would be taking the matter of City PS' refusal to register an FIR on the complaint by Congress against BJP for attacking its (Congress) office before the elections till date, to the relevant authorities.