NPP to petition ECI for confining SoO cadres
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, January 24 2022:
Deputy chief minister Y Joykumar has said that NPP will approach the Election Commission of India (ECI) for confining cadres of the underground groups under SoO in their designated camps during election time so as to ensure that people in the hills could vote for candidates of their choices without any fear in the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly election.
Joykumar stated this during the campaign kick-off ceremony of NPP candidate for Chandel AC Lunkhopao Haokip at Imphal Hotel, North AOC, Monday.
Addressing the gathering consisting of village leaders and chiefs, N Joykumar, who is also NPP national vice president, said that NPP secured four seats in the 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly election and one of them was Letpao Haokip from Chandel AC who became a minister in the coalition government.
Letpao was dropped from the state cabinet but NPP leaders lobbied for him and was reinstated as minister.
However, it was very unfortunate that Letpao left NPP and joined BJP and now he is set to contest election from Tengnoupal AC.
"May the step Letpao had taken be good but my conscience says that his decision was not a right one," Joykumar opined, adding that it would be difficult for Letpao to win from Tengnoupal AC after leaving his home constituency.
According to Joykumar, no one can be forced in a democratic country and a leader rejected by the people would have no followers.
It was the right step that Apao came out to lead people of Chandel and NPP fully understands anxiety of people of Chandel since Letpao left Chandel and moved to Tengnoupal.
The deputy chief minister further said that NPP will approach the ECI in connection with the various problems being created by different elements in Chandel as also about confining SoO cadres in their designated camps during election time so that the upcoming election passes off peacefully.
Action could be initiated if underground groups violate SoO ground rules, he said and expressed hope that NPP will win the Chandel seat.
During the event, NPP candidate for Chandel AC Apao Haokip said that he joined NPP on Sunday and began the election campaign on Monday to deliver justice to crisis ridden people of Chandel AC.
It is the right of every voter to cast their votes for candidate of their choice in democracy but it was very unfortunate that some elements are trying to sabotage his election campaign and issuing threats for contesting the election, he said and promised to bring Chandel people to the right path by overcoming all such threats and intimidation.
He then appealed to people of Chandel AC to stand steadfastly for truth.
NPP spokesperson Sushil Huidrom also attended the event, among others.