Ibobi fears use of 'money power' in LS polls
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 01 2024: While maintaining that the upcoming election will decide fate of the people of Manipur, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Okram Ibobi Singh cautioned that the people of Manipur will continue to live under chaotic condition if 'money power' decides the 18th Lok Sabha election.

Addressing a gathering during a felicitation programme held at Congress Bhawan on Monday, Ibobi lamented that the crisis besieging Manipur since May 3, 2023 had never occurred in the past and is unlikely to happen in the future as well.

Even as violence continues for over 10 months, silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is both regrettable and condemnable.

The PM visited or offered condolences when disastrous incidents happened in other states but is reluctant to visit Manipur, Ibobi said adding he is compelled to wonder if Manipur is not a part of India due to negligence of the PM and other national leaders on the troubled state.

While asserting that the 18th Lok Sabha elections is crucial for the people of Manipur as the polls will decide fate of the state and its people, he appealed to the electors to exercise their voting rights judiciously and elect the right candidate.

He further appealed to the people not to exchange their voting rights with money or else the state will remain in the present chaotic condition.

While reminding the people that two BJP MPs of the state had not uttered a word in the Parliament even as the state was burning but sat silently for five years, the former chief minister said people need to elect courageous representatives to the Parliament who could raise issues of Manipur.

Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president K Meghachandra, who also attended the felicitation programme, said that both the candidate fielded by the Congress party for Inner and Outer Manipur constituencies are capable of raising issues of the state in the Parliament.

He also said that both candidates were not chosen by the party alone but after thorough discussion with the people.

In his address, former deputy chief minister Gaikhangam said that the upcoming Lok Sabha election is not an easy one for the people of Manipur.

He also said that both the candidates fielded by Congress party for Inner and Outer Manipur constituencies are well-qualified and capable of raising issues of Manipur in the Parliament.

He also appealed electorates not to be swayed by emotion and sentiments in the upcoming election but be firm on choosing the right and courageous candidates who could develop and bring change in Manipur.

According to Gaikhangam, BJP is not suited to the soils of Manipur as could be comprehended from disastrous incidents that happened whenever the party is in power with the same being witnessed now.

He also said that the present crisis in Manipur will remain etched in the history of Manipur and the present BJP government shall be responsible for it.

Gaikhangam alleged that Manipur usually faces hardship whenever there is a BJP government as was evident when the people endured severe hardships consequent to the June 18, 2001 incident during the BJP government.

He then urged the people to exercise their voting rights wisely and choose the right candidate who could protect the state from any forces of disintegration Speaking on the occasion, INC's Inner Manipur PC candidate Dr Angomcha Bimol Akoijam opined that the 18th Lok Sabha election would determine where Manipur shall head while expressing that people who really love Manipur would surely choose the right candidate without getting any influence of money and muscle power.

While noting that people of the Manipur have been raising voices for the protection of the unity and integrity of the state for many years and several movements launched to safeguard the state's integrity, he lamented that the idea of Manipur has been gradually getting blurred.

The moment has come that every citizen awakens and save Manipur from any kind of forces that threaten its integrity.

"Despite being a native of Manipur, we are in the stage where we are forbidden to roam freely in any part of Manipur unlike before.

How long such a situation will continue in the state," he wondered.

The candidate also observed that if people of the state do not use their voting rights wisely even at this crucial juncture, Manipur will be like a sinking boat after some years.

"Manipur is in a crossroad situation.

It is high time to take the right decision for the safe and better future of Manipur," he pointed out while stating that his frustration in seeing the changing scenario of Manipur into the worse condition has inspired him to fight election.

Regarding the present crisis, he contended that the government is capable enough to stop the crisis but unwillingness has resulted in prolonging the humanitarian crisis.

Earlier, MPCC felicitated former Yaiskul MLA Elangbam Chand, who re-enrolled to the party, ex-candidate of Wangoi AC Sagolsem Achouba, former youth president of Federal Party of Manipur advocate Oinam Hemanta Singh, advocate Thoudam Devdutta and others, who newly joined Congress party.

The felicitation programme was also attended by Inner Manipur candidate for the party professor Dr Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, Congress MLAs, MPCC office bearers and leaders of party's district and block level committees.

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