Ibobi charges BJP of spreading falsehood
Source: Chronicle News Service

Thoubal, January 03 2022: While accusing BJP leaders of intentionally planting false stories that the hill and valley relationship during the 15-year rule of Congress in the state was not cordial, former chief minister O Ibobi Singh pointed out that had it not been for the uniform development initiated by the erstwhile Congress government and support of the hill people various developmental works taken up in the interior parts of the state such as Tipaimukh, Jessami, Tousem, Kasom Khullen, etc., would not have been possible.

Ibobi, who is the Congress Legislature Party leader in the assembly, expressed strong resentment that the BJP continues to level false allegations against the previous government over hill and valley relationship.

Speaking as chief guest at the inauguration of a community hall at Sabaltongba Mamang Leikai ground under Thoubal assembly constituency constructed under his MLA Local Area Development Fund on Sunday, Ibobi conceded that there used to be some tension between the government and the NSCN-IM over prohibiting the entry of NSCN-IM general secretary Th Muivah into the state.

There were no ill-will against Muivah as his entry was blocked as the ceasefire ground rules between the Government of India and the NSCN-IM mentioned that the truce was limited to Nagaland, clarified Ibobi, who represents Thoubal AC in the assembly.

He, however, stated that denial of entry to Muivah led to banning of various government works planned by the Congress government in the hills by the armed group.

As such the relentless attempt by the BJP government to portray the Congress party in poor light is nothing but cheap politics, he said, and held the BJP-led NDA government under Prime Minister AB Vajpayee accountable for the June 18 incident due to incorporation of the clause 'Without Territorial Limit' to the ceasefire pact signed with the NSCN-IM.

He also maintained that it will be wishful thinking that the BJP-led Union government will allocate more funds if there is BJP government in the state.

Even if the Congress government comes to power is the state, it will receive its rightful funds, he reasoned.

The former CM asserted that in the upcoming 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly Election there will be change.

A party will not always remain in power, BJP once had 'India Shining' campaign but the Congress won the election.

It is wrong to think that if Congress forms the state government then the state will receive less funding.

Manipur's fate is not in the hands of Delhi, as centre will have to release the fund entitled to the state, he maintained.

O Ibobi also said that he never treats Thoubal and its adjoining Khangabok AC differentially as his primary objective is to ensure the people reap the fruit of development.

The programme was also attended by Thoubal Municipal Council Ward No 13 former councillor Sanasam Ibotombi Singh as president along with former Khangabok AC MLA Okram Landhoni Devi, Thoubal District Congress Committee president Nongmaithem Lukhoi, Thoubal Municipal Council Ward No.13 former councillors Sanasam Lata Devi, Nongthombam Joy Singh, ward members Sanasam Biren, Thounaojam Sarat Singh and senior citizens.

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