Cong bats for fresh polls, flags flaws in IDP housing project
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 10 2025: Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has urged Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla for immediate intervention in the construction of pre-fabricated houses for the internally displaced persons (IDPs), who have been rendered homeless by the ongoing two-year-long crisis, alleging that the project is being executed without any official work order or tender process.

The Congress party also batted for dissolving the assembly, currently placed under suspended animation.

to pave the way for the people to elect a popular government of their choice.

Responding to media queries after coming out from the Raj Bhavan, where the MPCC handed over a memorandum detailing alleged anomalies in the execution of the pre-fabricated houses for the IDPs, MPCC president K Meghachandra stated that the formation of a popular government in Manipur lies in the hands of the central BJP leadership.

He, however, opined that views and proposals by the state BJP leaders appear to be ignored by their central counterparts.

"While a popular government is essential for the welfare of the people, it is difficult to comment on the matter at present," he explained, citing a lack of clarity on the discussions taking place between the state and central governments at their respective levels.

Meghachandra further stated that the Congress sees no progress in resolving the ongoing crisis in the state even after nearly six months of the President's Rule, stating: "Just like the two years under the previous popular government, no concrete steps have been taken during this period either, which has only deepened public distrust in the BJP".

Given that a popular government cannot be formed, peace remains elusive, and development is stalled even under President's Rule, he asserted.

Noting that dissolving the Assembly would be the most appropriate course of action, Meghachandra added that this has been the consistent demand of the Congress.

"Since the government has failed to heed the Voices of the people, it is better to hold fresh elections," he stressed.

Reflecting on the memorandum submitted Thursday to the Governor by an MPCC delegation, Meghachandra highlighted that the Congress party has been regularly inspecting relief camps housing internally displaced persons (IDPs) to assess their living conditions.

On Wednesday, the team assessed work progress of construction of pre-fabricated houses for IDPs at Phubala and Saiton in Bishnupur district during which they discovered that the construction was being carried out without any official work order or tender process.

He further stated that following the imposition of President's Rule in the state, the construction work had come to a halt.

As a result, IDPs who were supposed to be relocated to the pre-fabricated houses have been unable to move in due to the project's incomplete status, prolonging their hardship in relief camps.

The MPCC president expressed astonishment that such a major construction project was undertaken without following standard procedures, including issuing work orders or floating tenders.

He urged the Governor to intervene immediately, initiate an investigation, and ensure that the funds allocated for the construction of pre-fabricated houses are not misused.

K Meghachandra further stated that the memorandum submitted to the Governor included key demands such as setting a timeline for the return of IDPs to their respective homes by the chief secretary, ensuring that financial assistance from the state and central governments is provided directly to the IDPs, and initiating an investigation into the irregularities observed in the construction of pre-fabricated houses at the earliest.

MPCC spokesperson N Bhupenda Meitei and Uripok assembly constituency Congress candidate.

Dwijamani were also present during the submission of the memorandum to the Governor, who reportedly was not present when the Congress delegation went to the Raj Bhavan.

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