Let people judge : Dy CM
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 07 2017: Even though BJP can make all the tall claims, it is the people who will determine which party is heading for victory in the forthcoming 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly election, stated senior Congress leader and Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam.

Speaking to media persons yesterday, Gaikhangam stated that he does not believe BJP will win more than four or five seats in the forthcoming election.

On the other hand, Congress would score another landslide victory and form the next State Government for the fourth time in row, Gaikhangam claimed.

He compared the nexus between BJP, NSCN-IM and UNC in Manipur to a match of football.

NSCN-IM passed the ball to UNC in the form of imposition of economic blockade keeping in view the forthcoming election and these two groups have been working to enable BJP score a 'goal', Gaikhangam remarked.

This election strategy was testified when the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) wrote to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to defer the 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly election.

The UNC has been imposing economic blockade since October 31 midnight last year on National Highways leading to the State but this was not a valid reason for deferring the State Assembly election, Gaikhangam asserted.

Earlier too, there was economic blockade which went on for over 100 days in 2011 but the last State Assembly election was held in time.

CorCom imposed several restrictions during and ahead of the 2012 election and there were many similar restrictions in hill areas too but the election was held in time.

The State Government intends to end the ongoing economic blockade through dialogue with the UNC.

The State Government has its door wide open for holding dialogue with the UNC over the issue of economic blockade, he added.

The Deputy Chief Minister further expressed keen desire to hold tripartite talk involving the Central Government, the State Government and the UNC over the issue of economic blockade either at Imphal or New Delhi.

Apart from considering to resolve the issue of economic blockade, the State Cabinet has been studying all possible options to open the two National Highways which connect Manipur with other parts of the country, Gaikhangam told media persons.

UNC cannot claim that they have no connection with armed militant group.

Casualties suffered by many people at the hands of armed militants in the course of the UNC's economic blockade are testimonies of their nexus with armed militant group, he asserted.

If they (UNC) are bold enough, they should let people know that they are not related with any militant group, continued the Deputy Chief Minister.

BJP Manipur Pradesh president is a novice in the field of politics.

That was why he is claiming that BJP would score a thumping victory, he remarked.

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