130th foundation day of Congress CM canvasses for local body polls
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 28 2015: Chief Minister O Ibobi has called upon all the Congress workers and supporters to work hand in hand with the masses so that Congress can secure majority in all the Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats which go to polls on January 11 .

Ibobi was addressing the 130th foundation day of Indian National Congress (INC) held at Congress Bhavan here under the aegis of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) .

He stated that all Congress Ministers, MLAs and workers must ensure that there is no disconnect between the party and the public apart from investing maximum efforts so that the party emerges victorious in the scheduled local body election.

After due consultation with elected Congress Councillors, the Government can make up shortfalls in development activities to the maximum level and this can pave the way for the party's victory in the next Manipur Legislative election which is due in 2017 .

130th foundation day of Congress CM canvasses for local body polls

The strength of all those parties which predicted the downfall of Congress party during and in the run up to the recent by-election to two Assembly segments would be known during the local body election.

At the same time, the local body election would testify whether people have lost faith in Congress party or whether there is any disconnect between the party and citizens, Ibobi stated.

Nonetheless people's verdict must be respected, he continued referring to the recent by-election to two Assembly segments.

In any democratic country, the sovereign power lies with the people.

The local body election provides a perfect opportunity to introspect why the people of Thangmeiband AC and Thongju AC started distancing from the Congress party.

It is the bounden duty of all Congress workers and supporters to consolidate the party's strength in both the hills and valley of the State.

There is no need to be disheartened because of the poll debacle suffered by the party in the two Assembly segments.

There is no guarantee that Congress party will win all elections.

But all Congress workers must work in such a manner that there is no disconnect between the party and the public, Ibobi asserted.

If there must be peace, stability and speedy development in Manipur/India, Congress party should be strengthened.

Tirades made by party hoppers against Congress party who originally hail from the same party would not find any taker among the mass, Ibobi remarked.

MPCC president and Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam said there would be hardly any political leader in Manipur who was not a member of Congress party at one point of time or another.

Congress party has fulfilled the people's aspiration for a stable Government by retaining power for three consecutive terms.

Like in the previous years, Congress party would form the Government for the fourth term, Gaikhangam claimed.

The Congress need to acknowledge the people have taught the party a very valuable lesson.

The party cannot remain isolated from the people.

If there were any mistakes or policy failures, the same should be corrected/amended, Gaikhangam added.

Many Ministers, MLAs and key leaders of the party were also present at the gathering.