RK Anand clarifies, counters allegations by poll rival
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 10 2021: Former MLA of Naoriya Pakhanglakpa assembly constituency and BJP Manipur Pradesh executive member RK Anand has clarified allegations levelled against him by intending candidate Soraisham Kebi and placed various posers to the latter.

Both RK Anand and Soraisham Kebi are seeking BJP ticket from the same constituency for the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly election.

Dismissing the allegations levelled against him by Kebi during a press conference held late Tuesday evening at his Kwakeithel Akham Leikai residence, RK Anand said that some intending candidates of Naoriya Pakhanglakpa assembly constituency are campaigning in unfair manner to intentionally disturb peace and make the upcoming election not a free and fair one.

According to RK Anand, three intending candidates including him are seeking BJP ticket in Naoriya Pakhanglakpa and he joined the party earlier than both Kebi and Oinam Malesh.

Being in the same party, election campaigns are being held at individual level rather than in party line but it needs collective effort to prevent election related violence in the constituency, he said, adding that election held with violence cannot be termed as truly democratic.

Soraisham Kebi will be contesting election for the first time and all her opponents have faced election earlier.

However, most of Kebi's public speeches mainly concentrate on character assassination of rival candidates and undermining the selfless service for the people done by her opponents as if she is uneducated and unaware of proceedings of state assembly, RK Anand said and suggested that Kebi either remain silent if she is really uneducated or consult experts.

While clarifying on media reports about some of his workers rendering support to Kebi and demeaning him on personal level, RK Anand said that there was no point of retiring from politics when he stepped out of NEIDP.

The main reasons for him distancing from NEIDP were differences over the issue of NSCN-IM peace talks with party leaders and firm belief in Indian Constitution when the then NEIDP chairman Samarjit declared independence of Manipur from London, RK Anand clarified further and said that he was considered opportunist by some people when he left NEIDP but it was not true and he never tried to be an opportunist.

Regarding the charge levelled against him on CAF & PD, RK Anand clarified that he begun investigation against unfair distribution of rice and Kerosene in Imphal West district since becoming MLA and accordingly settled the matter apart from streamlining distribution of PDS items in Naoriya Pakhanglakpa AC.

He also clarified on many charges levelled by Kebi including on collapse of newly inaugurated bridge at Langpoklakpam Leikai as well as on being a contractor turned politician.

On the accusation over education policy and agriculture, RK Anand claimed that around 80 percent of roads in Naoriya Pakhanglakpa AC were blacked topped when he was the MLA while several River Lift Irrigation projects were constructed.

While contending that Kebi's husband Govind was involved in siphoning of rice meant for Tamenglong people released by the Central government and a report in this regard was made public by NSCN-IM, RK Anand said that Kebi and her husband need to clarify on this as such illegal activities are contradictory to government's effort of bringing people of hills and valley closer.

He then vowed to stand for truth and for the people irrespective of hills and valley.

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