Cong chief rues ECI's tepid response to re-poll plea
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, April 22 2024:
Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president MLA K Meghachandra said that there is no point in filing complaint to the Election Commission of India (ECI) in connection with the large-scale violence in the state.
Calling the double engine government of BJP as anti-people regime, which grooms thugs, promotes gun violence and deprives the people of their rights, he said that there is no way for the people but to endure the oppression of BJP.
In a video message to the people prior to leaving for Jiribam district for the party's election campaign for the Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency on Monday, Meghachandra made an earnest appeal to the voters of the 11 polling stations, where re-poll was being conducted to freely exercise their voting rights.
He said that Manipur would be perhaps the only place in the world where assault rifles wielding men lay siege on polling stations, assault inner agents, intimidate and assault people including women and elderlies.
Accusing BJP of making a mockery of the Model Code of Conduct imposed by the ECI, Meghachandra said the Congress party filed complaint to the ECI demanding re-poll in 47 polling stations but the commission ordered re-poll in only 11 polling stations where EVMs were destroyed.
Despite reporting widespread rigging in other polling stations, ECI did not consider their demand, he rued.
Further stating that it is the first time the state is witnessing armed men opening fire at civilian houses in relation with election, the MLA condemned torture and oppression of the common people by armed men under the BJP government.
Meghachandra said that the party has been advocating a new trend of election in the state, which is free from any corrupt activities contrary to which BJP and NPF are banking on money, muscle and gun power to wrest electoral victory.
As such it is up to the people to decide which is better for them and for the society, he stressed, while urging the electors, who would be casting their votes during the second phase, to choose their candidates wisely.