Cong campaigning in the name of NSCN (IM) : BJP
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 29 2017: Giving it back word for word to the Chief Minister for his 'BJP, UNC, NSCN (IM) are one and same' quip on January 28, the State unit of the BJP today asserted that the Congress is canvassing for vote by using the name of the NSCN (IM) and added that if there was no NSCN (IM), the Congress will not have anything to campaign for the election.

Speaking at the district level public meeting organised by the BJP, Imphal centre at Keishamthong Ahanthem Leikai ground today, spokesperson of the BJP, N Biren recalled the more than 100 days economic blockade back in 2011 and added that by the same yardstick it can be said that the then Congress led Governments at New Delhi and Imphal were the same as the NSCN (IM) and UNC.

Cong campaigning in the name of NSCN (IM) : BJP

The Centre cannot be held accountable just because the State Government has failed to get the blockade lifted and ensure regular supply of commodities to the people, said Biren.

Though the Central Government has more than made it clear that it is ready to send all the needed assistance, the State Government has not been able to do anything about the blockade on account of its inherent weakness, said the BJP spokesperson.

Since the State Government has failed to dispense with its duties, it is today remaining only in name, said Biren and added that this is nothing but playing with the sentiments of the people.

Going all out against the Congress party, Biren alleged that the State security personnel are being used by the Congress members for their personal activities including drug smuggling.

However they are not ready to use the security personnel to ensure free flow of goods to the people, he added.

The BJP spokesperson also advised the Congress Government to focus on serving the people of the State and not point an accusing finger at the BJP Government in Delhi.

Stating that it was a senior Congressman in the present Congress Government who appended his signature on the declaration to unite all Naga inhabited areas, Biren said that they ought to be ashamed in trying to portray the image that they love Manipur.

It was a Congress Minister and Congress MLAs who agreed to the proposal to integrate all Naga inhabited areas at the cost of Manipur, alleged the BJP spokesperson.

Everyone knows how much fund the then Congress led Government at the Centre released for the Imphal-Jiribam National Highway, said Biren and added that today it is to everyone's knowledge how Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has sanctioned Rs 2200 crore to repair and develop the said highway.

Expressing surprise at the claim of the Chief Minister that the Centre had not released any fund to develop road transport, Biren said that since the Centre does not trust the State Government, a company has been chosen to develop the road network in the State.

This has also been conveyed to the State Govern- ment, he claimed further.

It is the Congress Government which has been instigating the BRO not to fully develop Imphal-Jiribam highway so that vehicles can take the Imphal-Dimapur highway and let NSCN (IM) impose the tax they want, further alleged Biren.

The Congress Government has totally failed to read the pulse of the people, said Biren and cited the failure to pass a Bill that will regulate the inflow of non-local people into the State.

Thongju AC MLA Th Biswajit took jibes at the Congress for riding on the shoulder of the NSCN (IM) to canvass for votes.

Stating that the seven new districts were created with an eye on the coming Assembly election, Biswajit said that such politics will not work with the people of Manipur.

Such a conduct is unbecoming of a leader of the people, added the MLA.

The Congress can no longer take the people for a ride and recalled how the Chief Minister canvassed in the earlier Assembly election, asking the people to vote for the Congress as there was a Congress Government at the Centre too.

"Now will he do the same and ask the people to vote for the BJP,?" mocked the BJP MLA.

Among others, State BJP president K Bhabananda, Y Erabot, RK Shivchandra, Dr Kh Loken and BJP candidate in Yaiskul AC Th Satyabarta attended the conference.