Bijoy Koijam, Bishwajit reach out to voters
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 19 2015: Hours before the election campaign period wrapped up today, rival Congress and BJP candidates Bijoy Koijam and Thongam Bishwajit made last ditch efforts to win maximum voters on their respective sides.

Speaking to media persons at his residence today, Bijoy Koijam appealed to all concerned to ensure that the by-election is held peacefully and smoothly.

He said that the ensuing by-election is very important as development deficits of Thongju AC must be made up to the maximum level within the next one year and a couple of months before the next Manipur Legislative Assembly election is held.

To ensure speedy implementation of several development programmes within the short period, people's cooperation is crucial.

File photos : Bijoy Koijam during a political convention and Bishwajit filing his nomination papers

He also highlighted the need to give priority to transport and communication infrastructure, health care facilities, educational infrastructure and agriculture.

Bijoy Koijam then stressed on the paramount importance of economic alleviation of all the people of Thongju AC.

Referring to political mudslinging between rival political parties in connection with the by-election to Thongju AC, Bijoy Koijam maintained that half-cooked statements can never be treated as facts.

"The propaganda churned out by the rival camp that I sold out a hall located at North AOC, and the money thus earned was transferred to my bank account was aimed at influencing voters through unfair means", he said.

Contract works executed by the disqualified MLA in Thongju AC, construction of hospital at Heirok and other works taken up at Mao remain incomplete.

Reacting to another allegation that he swindled loan amounts sanctioned to SHGs, Bijoy claimed that he would have never contested any election and people may not vote for him had he swindled any amount sanctioned to SHGs.

One bank staff is also involved in the controversy and the matter is being investigated by CBI.

He also threatened to file defamation suit against the particular woman who made the same allegation.

Meanwhile, the BJP election committee has stated that the managing director of a corporate body located at Khongman Zone III has been working to dissuade voters from voting in favour of BJP.

Speaking to media persons at the residence of Thongam Bishwajit, BJP election committee member Thongam Tinananda alleged that the managing director has been threatening his staff to vote for Congress.

The activities of the managing director and his followers are a direct challenge to democracy and democratic rights.

They have been threatening all the staff to vote for Congress and hoist Congress flags in their respective residences else they would be sacked.

While defiant staff have been sacked, some others have resigned from the corporate body.

But they were later recalled.

Some followers of the managing director came to a locality today where BJP has a strong presence.

There they threatened all the people not to come out on the polling day.

If they must vote, they should vote for Congress.

They also offered to organise a picnic party on the polling day so that they can stay away from voting, Tinananda said.

A complaint would be filed at the Election Commission of India against the arm twisting tactics resorted to by the said corporation, he added.