BJP abusing Constitutional provisions : AICC
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 23 2020: The All India Congress Committee (AICC) has accused BJP of abusing Constitutional authorities, whether the Constitutional authority in question is the Speaker of State Legislative Assembly or the Governor.

Speaking to media persons at Congress Bhavan here today, AICC general secretary Gaurav Gogoi noted that the MLA disqualification case of Manipur has been taking a very long time as it was taken to the Supreme Court on account of the failure of the Manipur Legislative Assembly Speaker to dispose it promptly.

Notably, Gaurav Gogoi arrived here yesterday to expose the wrongdoings of the BJP-led Governments of the Centre and the State at village/block level.

BJP abusing Constitutional provisions : AICC

He remarked that the Supreme Court's directive with regard to the disqualification case raises a serious question on the power and duties of the Assembly Speaker and went on to accuse the BJP of abusing Constitutional authorities, whether the authority in question is the Speaker or the Governor.

There have been many instances of BJP abusing the powers of different prestigious Constitutional posts, Gaurav Gogoi alleged.

The Supreme Court's judgement is a very strong criticism on a political question pertaining to the State of Manipur.

As the particular judgement is basically about BJP, the saffron party ought to come out with a reasonable and responsible clarification.

Whereas the people of Manipur believe in democracy, BJP does not respect democracy, he asserted.

Even though vehement protests have been raging across the country against Citizenship Amendment Act, the BJP-led NDA Government and the Union Home Minister have been paying little attention.

Such arrogance only testifies that they do not have faith in democracy.

Such attitude and approach of BJP is akin to feudalism and dictatorship.

It is tantamount to taking the masses for a ride, asserted the AICC general secretary.

People are protesting on the streets across the country to safeguard the idea of India and the values of the Constitution, he said.

He then claimed that the Indian National Congress is the only political party which stands for and with the people of the country.

INC would always work together with the masses in order to safeguard the values and principles of democracy, he said.

Saying that BJP has been working hard to fragment the country on religious line, the Congress leader asserted that the people of the country, particularly those of the North Eastern States desire employment, standard transport infrastructure, good governance and respectable income.

But what BJP has been doing instead of delivering these wishes of the people is making false and empty promises.

BJP leaders are more interested in hitting newspapers headlines rather focusing on creating employment avenues for the youth, Gaurav Gogoi said.

Instead of making roads, they are more interested in broadcasting their images in TV channels, he added.

CLP leader and ex-Chief Minister Okram Ibobi said that the country has been lagging on all fronts since the Narendra Modi-led BJP Government was installed in 2014.He asked the people of Manipur to point out a single promise of BJP Central leader and the Biren-led State Government which has been fulfilled.

At the instruction of Narendra Modi, a number of Union Ministers visited the State every alternate day, he said before asking if these high profile visits had brought any benefit to Manipur.

He went on to ask if the NDA Government has done anything substantial after re-naming the Look East Policy as Act East Policy.

Ibobi said that construction of roads and bridges for the Imphal-Mandalay bus service project which was initiated during the time of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh should be done by the Government of India.

However, as the Government of Myanmar has come to know about the lies and empty promises of the NDA Government, the neighbouring country has made it clear that they would construct the roads and bridges on their own, said Ibobi adding that this is a matter of shame for the whole country.

If photographs of all the achievements of the previous Congress Government are put up on road sides, there would be no space to put up all the pictures.

But the incumbent State Government is obsessed with pictures/publicity.

Same is the case with the Central Government led by Narendra Modi.

What the State Government has been doing is copying the Central Government, Ibobi remarked.

The incumbent Government is unable to complete many projects taken up during the Congress Government.

They have also failed to properly maintain projects already completed by the previous Government.

"Just because we are sitting on the Opposition bench, we have no intention to charge allegations at the Government at every available opportunity just as I said on the very first day of sitting on the Opposition bench that we would don the role of a constructive Opposition.

But whatever we are saying are hard facts", Ibobi asserted.

If the Government is doing good for the people, Congress party would extend full cooperation.

India is the largest democracy and there is no room for dictatorship.

It is a matter of shame that Th Shyamkumar who was elected on a Congress ticket was taken within the fold of BJP even before he was sworn in as a legislator, Ibobi continued.

Taking the case of Shyamkumar to Court was a very lengthy process but the party was forced to approach Courts in the interest of people as the Speaker failed to discharge his responsibility, Ibobi added.

Meanwhile, a one day political interaction cum public meeting was held today at Leitanpokpi Bazar, Saiton, Bishnupur district under the aegis of Kumbi Block Congress Committee.

Among others, the political interaction cum public meeting was attended by AICC general secretary Gaurav Gogoi, CLP leader O Ibobi, Congress Working Committee Member Gaikhangam, MPCC president M Okendro, MPCC vice-president T Mangibabu and ex-Minister N Mangi.