BJP presses PR option bell
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 26 2011:
Alleging that the Congress led Government is "inept" in handling the ongoing crisis, State unit of the BJP has sought the imposition of President's Rule (PR) in Manipur following the economic blockade on the National Highways of the state that has completed 57 days today.
Manipur unit of BJP president Sh Shantikumar told the media today that a memorandum has been sent to the President of India through the Governor seeking the imposition of President's Rule in the State.
The memorandum, inter alia, seeks provision of financial cushion of Rs 5000 each to poor families of the State to meet the rising price of essential commodities in the wake of the ongoing
economic blockade.
The state unit of BJP has been on a signature campaign spree across the State for some time, mobilizing pubic support against the Ibobi Singh led Congress coalition Government which, the party claims, has been "irresponsible" and "inept" at handling the crisis emanating from the ongoing blockade and counter blockade by Sadar Hills Districthood Demand Committee (SHDDC) and United Naga Council (UNC) respectively on the National Highways in the State.
The campaign has mobilized over 20,000 signatures from across the State which was also attached to the memorandum to the President.
"The economic blockade imposed by SHDDC demanding full fledged district is going to complete two months shortly," said the BJP Manipur Pradesh president and added that "unfortunately, the State Government is still hopelessly incapable of resolving the issue.
"The immature governance of Ibobi Government has led to innumerable and undue suffering of the people.
We therefore seek an end to the suffering by summery removal of the state government and a replacement by PR," he said.
He rued that economic blockade which is often used as pressure tactic by entities in their demand before the government is now exploited by unscrupulous businessmen by hording goods when there is supply constraint.
"These unscrupulous businessmen must been booked and punished," the Manipur BJP president said.
He also observed that the state government appeared to be hand in glove with crony capitalists and black marketeers of petroleum products.
"Even as petroleum products are running dry in service centers across the state, black marketeers are stocking up excess products and earning huge profits out of it," he said.
While observing that the state government is hopelessly incapable of controlling blockade mongers on national highways even with security personnel recently recruited in excess, the BJP president sought the imposition of President's Rule in the state.