NDA Govt has little respect for small States: Ibobi
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 23 2019: Expressing strong resentment against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah's refusal to give an audience to the State Congress legislators on the Naga peace talks and the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB), ex-Chief Minister and CLP leader Okram Ibobi has decried that the NDA Government led by BJP smacks of an attitude that they would do anything they wish without bothering to listen to the voice of the people of small States like Manipur.

NDA Govt has little respect for small States: Ibobi

With regard to the CBI investigation into the MDS scam, Ibobi said that all the suspicions of people would be eradicated if the investigation is carried out thoroughly and all the culprits are punished according to law.

He also assured full cooperation to the CBI investigation.

He was speaking to media persons on his arrival from New Delhi at Imphal airport today.

A team of Congress legislators including Okram Ibobi, Gaikhangam, Kh Joykisan, K Ranjit and K Govindas were camping at Delhi since November 14.They were lobbying with Central leaders of several political parties so that any solution to the Naga peace talk does not affect Manipur and the CAB 2016 is not passed in the Parliament.

Even as they waited for days for an audience with the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister, they were not given any such opportunity.

Responding to queries raised by media persons at the airport, Ibobi said that they went to Delhi to apprise Central leaders particularly Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah about the people's stiff opposition to CAB and any negative impact of Naga solution upon Manipur.

It was rather unfortunate that the CLP team was not given any appointment by the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister despite waiting for several days.

Such arrogant attitude of the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister evoked a feeling that they have little respect for small States like Manipur and that they can impose their will without ever bothering to listen to the people's voice, Ibobi decried.

Even though the CLP team could not meet either the Prime Minister or the Union Home Minister, a memorandum was submitted to them through Union Minister Jitendra Singh.

If they read the memorandum, they would understand why the people of Manipur are apprehensive about any solution to the Naga peace talk and why CAB is opposed vehemently, said the ex-Chief Minister.

On being enquired about CBI raid at his residence yesterday when he was at Delhi, Ibobi maintained that if the investigation is carried out thoroughly and all those found guilty are punished according to law, all the people's suspicions about MDS scam would be put to rest for good.