Prof Bimol releases 13-point manifesto
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal/Bishnupur, April 16 2024: INC candidate for Inner Manipur parliamentary constituency, Prof Angomcha Bimol Akoijam hoisted flag along with conduct of religious rituals and released a 13-point personal manifesto at his Keishamthong Top Leirak residence on Tuesday.

On the other hand, un identified gunmen fired several rounds at a poll campaign venue at Kumbi Khuga Wangma in Bishnupur district on Tuesday afternoon.

The flag hoisting ceremony was attended by MLA Th Lokeshwar, ex-MLAs Ak Mirabai, N Loken and other party leaders.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof Bimol expressed strong resentment over threats and restrictions imposed on INC by some groups while allowing other parties to hold election Campaign freely.

The reason for hoisting the flag is to seek blessings to take a firm stand against the black sheep, instigated by those scheming to disintegrate Manipur and undermine its integrity and identity.

The flag being hoisted is the flag of every individual of the state, who stands for a united and strong Manipur, he said.

While releasing the 13-point personal manifesto in front of media persons after the flag hoisting ceremony, Prof Bimol said that his mission is to cultivate a hew political culture for a new Manipur, to foster a people-led, issue-based governance approach that prioritises solutions benefiting all Manipuris.

The candidate said he envisions a future marked by harmony and prosperity, where collective prosperity is prioritised through inclusive governance and equitable policies.

The 13-point agenda in the manifesto are fixing accountability for ongoing violence & justice for Internally Displaced Persons (IDP); support for constitutional protection such as Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for Meetei/Meitei; support for population policy & NRC; formation of Economic Development Task Force; educational empowerment initiative; inter-community dialogue & collaboration initiative; governance accountability & oversight initiative; centre for indigenous arts & cultural integration; formation of a Socio-economic & Education Status Assessment Committee; paradigm shift from military lens to civilian governance; rebuilding the brand Manipur; administrative reforms; and strengthen ihg Manipur's position under Indian federal polity.

Prof Bimol noted that he is the lone candidate, who is receiving threat and intimidation, among the six candidates for the inner parliamentary constituency.

It is obvious that such threats are coming from those, who do not want him to win the election.

However, they should know that the threat and intimidations is not against him or the party but directed to the people of the state.

Some are misinterpreting the manifesto of Congress party with the sole aim to mislead the public.

Interestingly, the party that misinterpreted Congress party's manifesto, failed to include anything related with Manipur and the current crisis as well, he pointed out.

Responding to the media about the election rally of union home minister Amit Shah in Imphal, Prof Bimol said that he has been saying all along that the ensuing election is not between political parties but between those who want to uphold the unity, integrity and identity of Manipur and those undermining these values and want to disintegrate the state.

Amit Shah simply copied his slogan and he does not need to respond to such imitation, which is nothing but a poll gimmick, he added.

Regarding the present status of the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement, Prof Bimol said that the BJP government has been blaming Congress for the same matter but this is a question that should be asked to the government but not to the opposition.

The government should inform the public about the current status of SoO, which had expired on February 29.However, as per his observation, the BJP government is keeping the SoO agreement in limbo keeping in view the Lok Sabha election and they will definitely announce extension of the agreement after the election.

At the same time, the power to discontinue the agreement lies with the state government but they are trying to mislead the people by remaining silent on the matter and directing baseless blames on Congress, he added.

Meanwhile, the election meeting in Bishnupur district was held at the residence of former INC candidate for Kumbi assembly constituency Khangenbam Romesh on Tuesday afternoon.

The unidentified gunmen, who reportedly came in a car, fired some shots in the air to intimidate the gathering around 3.30 pm and fled the scene.

Nobody was injured in the incident.

Apart from Prof Bimol, CLP leader and ex-CM Okram Ibobi, former Dy CM Gaikhangam, MLA K Ranjit, MLA Th Lokeshwar, ex-MLAs RK Anand and N Loken attended the meeting among other party leaders.

Speaking on the occasion, Ibobi slammed the government for its unaccountability, habit of blaming past governments for its own failure, and misleading the public with false propaganda.

Ex-MLA N Loken said that there was a threat against holding the campaign meeting and the same group is intimidating the people by firing shots.

He called upon the people of the state to give the right response of such threats and intimidation by their votes.

Reiterating the reason behind his stand to contest the election for the sake of the state and its people, Prof Bimol urged the public not to fear anything in the ensuing election.

He asked them to understand the meaning behind the tributes paid to the martyrs on the occasion of Nupilal, Khongjom War and June 18 uprising observances among others.

He urged Meira Paibi Lups to take proactive role in ensuring peaceful, free and fair election by standing on guard at their respective polling booths.

He is not asking them to vote for him but to allow the citizens to freely exercise their voting rights for the fate of the state, Prof Bimol maintained.

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