BJP-led Govt sold out to CCpur protesters: Joykisan
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 04 2017: Contrary to all the efforts made by Congress party in the State Assembly to enact an Act which can protect the indigenous people of Manipur, the coalition Government led by BJP surrendered to the Churachandpur protesters and struck an agreement only to save themselves, asserted Congress spokesman MLA Kh Joykisan .

Speaking to media persons at Congress Bhavan here today, Joykisan said people are witness to how the incumbent Government struck an agreement with the anti-ILPS protesters of Churachandpur .

By surrendering to the anti-ILPS protesters of Churachandpur, the incumbent Government turned its back to the issue of enacting a Constitutional safeguard for the indigenous people of Manipur only to save their skin, he said .

The impasse was resolved only after Chief Minister N Biren tendered an apology for the 'wrongs' done by the previous Government.

But the Chief Minister's apology was akin to surrendering the whole movement for protection of indigenous people, Joykisan decried .

He then asked the Chief Minister to clarify what were the 'wrongdoings' of the previous Government .

History will be witness to how the BJP-led coalition Government extinguished the popular movement for enactment of a Constitutional safeguard to protect indigenous people of the land in their efforts to save their Government.

Many quarters have started questioning through social media whether all those groups which were spearheading public agitation were organs of BJP .

Nonetheless, Congress party would move the State Assembly to pass a Bill which can effectively protect all the indigenous people of Manipur .

Even though the incumbent Government has been suggested repeatedly to re-examine whether there were any lapses or loopholes in the Bills already passed but there has been no response till date.

This is an attempt to bury the popular movement.

There might be mistakes in the 15 years of Congress rule but one cannot simply accuse the Congress Government of committing grave wrongs.

It was during the Congress rule that the historic Kangla Fort was handed over to the people of Manipur .

Again, it was the Congress Government which repealed Armed Forces Special Powers Act from seven Assembly segments, Joykisan asserted .

If the incumbent Government has the courage to propose repealing AFSPA from other areas of Manipur, Congress would support the proposal, he assured .

Quoting one BJP spokesperson who reportedly stated that any wrongdoer, regardless of whether he/she is a Minister would not be let scot-free, the Congress spokesman said that a complaint has been lodged with the Chief Secretary about swindling a huge amount of money without doing any work .

However, no action has been initiated till date.

It only shows that there is a disconnect between BJP and the BJP-led Government, he asserted .

Noting that the Chief Minister announced special economic packages of several hundred crore rupees for Ukhrul and Senapati districts, Joykisan asked whether the Government has the money or the special packages would be paid out of the State budget.

He went on to ask if the Government of India had sanctioned any special package for Manipur .

Further noting that the State Government has declared the State's grim flood situation as State calamity, the Congress spokesman asked if any Union Minister had inspected the State's flood situation .

Several lakh of rupees are being spent in newspaper advertisements which are decorated with big photographs .

He then asked "Will the advertisement bills be paid from the State budget?"
As an Opposition party, Congress would support all good works done by the Government.

At the same time, Congress would not remain silent when the Government commits any wrong.

The Government can never intimidate Congress party to be silent.

Asking if the State Government had received any economic package from the Government of India within the last 100 days, MLA K Meghachandra said that it would be wrong for the BJP-led coalition Government to highlight 57 different projects which cost several crores of rupees as their achievement within 100 days.

He went on to ask how much money had been released from the State Government's account to execute these projects within the last 100 days .

It would be a grave mistake if the Government was claiming what has been already cooked and ready to be served as its performance .

He further asked as to why BJP's agenda listed in its election manifesto were not included in the Government's 100 days programme.

He also questioned the Anti-Corruption Cell's inaction even after it was reported that a fake bank guarantee was submitted in the tender process of constructing Imphal-Lilong section of Imphal-Moreh highway .

MLA Okram Surajkumar questioned the Government's inability to incorporate its own Cabinet decision of setting up National Highway Protection Force in the 100 days programme.

He appealed to the Government to refrain from hoodwinking the public.

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