State BJP slams IM for poll rigging
Source: The Sangai Express // Newmai News Network
Imphal, June 20 2015 :
BJP Manipur has questioned the role of NSCN (IM) in the recently held 6th ADC elections in the Naga-dominated areas of Manipur, blaming that the outfit deprived the democratic rights of the people by openly backing the NPF.
In a press statement jointly released by state BJP general secretary (administration) M Ashnikumar and general secretary (media) L Basanta Sharma, the party accused NSCM (IM) for completely 'rigging and mutilating' the electoral process to ensure victory of the NPF candidates whom the outfit has been backing.
Doing so totally nullified the democratic rights of the people and is an act of 'defeating people' .
NSCM (IM) resorted to means such as open proxy voting, booth capturing, kidnapping of BJP agents and supporters under violent threat and intimidation, further stated the press release.
It also mentioned that there was even the case of the outfit's Lt General (retd) Markson threatening the village chiefs to ensure that all the respective villagers cast their votes in favour of NPF.
A story on this was published in the national paper The Indian Express on June 1 .
BJP state unit further said that the party was getting momentum with its election campaigns and subsequent thumping response from the public until NSCN (IM) and the NPF workers started threatening and torturing the BJP candidates and workers in Naga-inhabited areas.
This had affected majorly to the results of the party.
In such a situation, the state BJP expressed its disappointment to see no response and zero intervention from the authorities concerned.
It also urged the central leadership to intervene immediately with effective remedial actions, so that such interferences do not occur in the future.
On the other hand, BJP Manipur Pradesh opined that the Congress ruling party in the state would not last long as the recent ADC results showed the declining strength of the party.
Even though it ruled for 13 years, it could win only 46 seats in the recent polls, which was very less from its previous performance where it won 103 seats.
On the contrary, BJP has succeeded in getting 21 seats despite of all the hurdles and stumbling odds, the press release added.
BJP, in the previous ADC election, could not even open a single account.