O Joy sees poll mandate as people's response to Centre's apathy
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, June 06 2024:
Senior politician Okram Joy has hailed the victory of INC candidates over BJP and its allies by huge margins as a befitting response from the people to the perceived apathy of the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre towards Manipur during the ongoing crisis.
In a press meet held at his Kakwa residence on Thursday, O Joy criticised the Central government for turning a blind eye to the hardships and sufferings of the people of Manipur since the crisis began on May 3 last year.
He specifically called out Home Minister Amit Shah for his inaction and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his silence, accusing them of treating the people of Manipur as beggars or sub-standard citizens.
Joy asserted that the historic poll result was a fitting response from the people to this neglect.
He highlighted the unique nature of this year's election, contrasting it with typical election scenes filled with feasts, festivities, colourful campaigns, and cash distribution.
Instead, he noted that the votes cast this time were filled with sincerity and emotion, reflecting the hardships and uncertainties faced by the electorate.
He described this year's election as exemplary, expressing his hope that future elections would follow the sincere and heartfelt nature of this one, which he believes could fast-track development and growth in the state.
Interestingly, Congress secured majority of the votes in many assembly constituencies, including those with prominent BJP ministers and MLAs such as Yaiskul, Singjamei, Thongju, Langthabal, and Khurai, the veteran politician pointed out.
He recalled that when the BJP formed its first government in 2017, it promised prosperity and development, but the current situation is vastly different.
He held both the BJP governments at the Centre and in the state responsible for the dire circumstances, describing the state as a graveyard.
Joy urged the two newly elected Congress MPs to take up the responsibility of highlighting the issues and plights of the people of the state in the Parliament.
He also expressed gratitude to the people for their support to the Congress party, emphasising that the public mandate should be thoroughly analysed.
He expressed belief that the landslide victory of Congress in both parliamentary constituencies of the state is due to the people's desire for genuine development and a response to their sufferings during the crisis.
The election results, according to Joy, sent a clear message to the BJP governments both in the state and at the Centre about the people's dissatisfaction and their demand for better governance and empathy towards their struggles.