Jairam slams BJP with 'bribe SoO groups' cry
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 03 2022:
The BJP-led Government has doled out over Rs 16 crore to militant groups which are under Suspension of Operation (SoO) pact in connection with the ongoing State Assembly election, according to AICC senior observer Jairam Ramesh.
Briefing media persons at Congress Bhavan here today, Jairam Ramesh maintained that the payment of over Rs 16 crore made by the BJP-led State Government to militant groups of SoO pact was an unmistakable indication of interference by the militant groups in the election.
He said that BJP was using both brute force and money power to intimidate voters in their quest to retain power in the State.
Quoting a reliable source of the State Government, Jairam Ramesh who is also a Member of Parliament said that the BJP-led Government paid Rs 15,70,32,000 to militant groups under SoO pact on February 1 followed by another Rs 92,65,950 on March 1 .
He said that these amounts were released by the Union Home Ministry to the State Government.
The first instalment was paid through cheque number 517801 and the second instalment through cheque number 517802.These amounts were transferred through a bank account having 615892 as its last six digits, Jairam said.
The whole amount was withdrawn by Home Department from SBI Secretariat Branch and paid to militant groups through the CID SP, he elaborated.
As the first instalment was used to buy votes in favour of BJP candidates in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts, the election held in the two districts was not free and fair, said the AICC senior observer.
The second instalment is meant to buy votes in favour of BJP candidates in Tengnoupal and Chandel districts which are going to polls on March 5.As such, the second phase is also unlikely to be free and fair, he said.
These payments were made when the self-proclaimed double-engine Government is unable to pay salaries to majority of its employees for two months and when mid-day meal cooks have not been paid for 18 months, former State Government employees have not received their pensions in the last six months and almost all pensioners have not received their retirement benefits, added Jairam Ramesh.
These payments testify that BJP has been working hard to woo voters by extensively employing brute force and money power, he said.
All these activities of BJP violate the election model of conduct.
Given BJP's blatant attempt to buy the people's right to vote, the second phase of election would not be free and fair, Jairam added.