BJP Govt diluting democracy, constitution: Ibobi
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, December 22 2023:
Joining the nationwide protest against suspension of 143 opposition MPs from the Parliament, 10 opposition parties namely, AAP, AIFB, AITC, CPI, CPI-M, INC, JD-U, NCP, RSP and Shiv Sena (UBT) organised a protest at Congress Bhawan, Imphal on Friday.
Speaking on the sidelines of the protest, CLP leader Okram Ibobi called upon the people not to support BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha election stating that the fate of democracy and constitution is uncertain under the BJP rule.
He urged the public to play their part and not to support BJP candidates in both hills and valley in the state.
The former CM said that there is a constant fear in the minds of the people on seeing how the Modi government at the Centre and Biren government in the state have been handling the situation both in the state and the Centre.
Any right thinking person can sense the uncertainty of democracy and constitutional values the country is facing under the BJP government, he said.
Regarding the recent attack in Parliament, Ibobi said that a civilian can enter and witness parliament or assembly proceedings with the approval of an MP or MLA.
Shockingly, it was found that the accused persons of the parliament attack were granted approval by a BJP MP and the investigation will bring out further truths, he said.
Enquiring what would be the fate of the MPs if the smoke bombs turned out to be lethal explosives, he termed the attack as one of the biggest security lapses of the world.
Opposition MPS demanded the Prime Minister and union home minister to give statements in the parliament in this regard.
Instead of assuaging the demand of the opposition, 143 MPs were suspended, which is the first time in the history of the country, he said.
Ibobi also questioned the meaning of the existence of the parliament if its members are not given the right to raise questions.
He further said that there are hoardings of PM Modi with the tagline 'India is mother of democracy' in airports and other vital installations but the same government is murdering democracy in the state.
The government has failed to conduct elections for ADC, urban local bodies and gram Panchayats even after their terms have expired long before.
The world ascended from kingship to democracy and in the country and state, democracy has been destroyed, which is why the INDIA alliance is organising the nationwide protest to protect democracy and constitution.
Former deputy chief minister Gaikhangam criticised the government of making tall claims even though the government coffer is nearly empty.
They keep blaming Congress for everything and the public too support BJP at the time of election even though they keep raising voices against the party.
It is the duty of the government to protect public lives and properties, and the government should be held responsible for everything happening in the state.
Diverting the blame to past governments is unacceptable and it will not bring solution to the crisis, he said.
Listing out major infrastructure development in the state during Congress rule and stating that the present CM was groomed by Congress, the ex-MLA and AICC CWC member said that the ruling MLAs will run towards Congress the day BJP is ousted from the Centre.
He also called upon the people to take a united stand against BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha election.
JD-U Manipur state chief spokesperson Dr Nimaichand Luwang said that peace can be restored in the state when Modi is defeated in the 2024 election.
PM Modi has failed to fulfil any of the promises he made for the state in the last election.
Instead, thousands of families are displaced and nearly 200 people have been killed, he said and appealed to the people to defeat BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha election.
MPCC president K Meghachandra, CPI leaders Dr M Nara, L Sotinkumar, CPI-M state secretaries Sarat Salam, Kshetrimayum Shanta, JD-U state president Ksh Biren and other opposition leaders also participated in the protest.