TT Haokip slams BJP, spills out grievances
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 21 2020: T Thangzalam Haokip on Sunday mounted sharp attacks on the BJP-led Government and claimed that it is being run by "one or two person(s)" .

He said the three MLAs cut ties with the BJP and resigned as MLAs as the Government failed to hear and acknowledge their suggestions and appeals.

Speaking to media persons at a Congress camp at Patsoi, Henglep AC ex-MLA T Thangzalam said that severance of ties by three ruling MLAs (including him) from their own party (BJP) is the first in the history of the State.

There are many reasons for the recent move, but they never eyed higher posts when they switched sides, he said denouncing comments on social media which projected them as power-hungry.

"It is unfortunate that many are blaming us blindly for switching sides in pursuit of plump posts, he said.

While all MLAs want to be Ministers and all Ministers want to be the Chief Minister, it is impossible to give ministerial berths to all the MLAs, he said.

TT Haokip slams BJP, spills out grievances

"I will not delve into the things the Govt has done or failed to do in the last three years as all have fair knowledge of these things.

The Government had launched schemes such as Go to Hills and Go to Village.

I will not comment on how successful the schemes were, but it is true that there was no budget allocation for these schemes," he said.

Claiming that their advice and efforts were not heard and acknowledged by the BJP led Government, he alleged that the Government is being run by one or two person(s) only.

"The Government is being run by or two person(s) only.

I cut ties with BJP and resigned from my post to save Manipur," TT Haokip said.

He said four NPP MLAs who held ministerial posts are also with the Congress and are joining forces to drive a floor test in the Assembly to form a Congress-led Government.

He further claimed that the four NPP MLAs have gone to meet their party president.

"Even though the party president is trying to pacify and appease them, we got reports that the four MLAs are holding their ground firmly.

We believe that they will return back here (camp)," he said.

TT Haokip maintained that the three of them, however will not return to BJP.

All the other remaining Congress MLAs are not breaking off, he added.

Congress MLA Kh Joykishan, who was also present, said that there should be a floor test at the earliest.

Asking why the BJP-led Government is afraid of the floor test, he said that Congress party has no problem and they may rule the State for the full term if they prove majority on the floor of the Assembly.

On the other hand, he alleged that two Congress leaders, Gaurav Gogoi and Ajay Maken, who visited the State before the Rajya Sabha election, were forced to undergo quarantine.

Congress did not lodge any protest giving priority to the safety of the people of the State, he added.

TT Haokip also returned from Kolkata on June 4 and he went for self quarantine.

He was released after the test result turned out negative.

However, there are reports that CM's advisor Rajat Sethi didn't undergo quarantine and was allowed to join the office of the CM.

He further questioned if the quarantine SOPs are categorised and exempted for certain persons.

Above this, BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sharma didn't undergo quarantine and is roaming everywhere, he said.

In case there is community transmission of COVID-19 in the State, BJP should be held responsible, he said.