Imphal, June 02: Observing that the Opposition parties have become virtually non-existent, MPCC president Gaikhangam has claimed that this is a big achievement of the SPF Government.

Speaking at a block level Congress workers' conference jointly organised by the Block Congress Committees of Saikot, Henglep and Singhat at B Vengnuom community hall, Churachandpur today, Gaikhangam claimed that the Government is free to pursue any programme or policy of its choice without bothering for any criticism or objection from the Opposition parties.

Stating that the Opposition parties are the necessary brakes of a running vehicle in a parliamentary democratic set-up, Gaikhangam pointed out that it is the responsibility of the Opposition parties to study and check the activities of the Government whether they were in the interest of the people or not.

But it seems that there is no Opposition party or Opposition leaders in this critical situation, Gaikhangam observed while noting that the SPF Government has been treading its path with care and expertise.

The SPF Government deserves special praise for its ability to incapacitate the Opposition completely, he remarked.

However, the MPCC president was visibly peeved on seeing that none of the 31 Congress MLAs were there at the conference except Manga Vaiphei.

He said that the mode of organisation of the conference was quite different from what was expected.

Instead of organising the conference, a brain-storming session of the Congress workers should have been organised to study the activities of the Govtand the party and to measure public opinion on the performance of the Govt, he wished.

Decrying that some Ministers and MLAs are staying aloof from party workers, Gaikhangam, who is also the MPCC president cautioned that if the MLAs and Ministers continue to ignore the concerns and problems of the party workers, it would not be long before the Congress party and the Government lose people's support and faith.

He also conveyed strong desire to discuss all the activities and programmes of the Govt with political workers.

Gaikhangam further noted that even as many development programmes and welfare schemes have been taken up by the Govt, people are unable to reap the benefits of these programmes as they have not been informed of this schemes thoroughly.

Considerable number of forms for old age pension has already been issued but some MLAs and Ministers have been reportedly working alone without sharing knowledge of such schemes with the party workers thereby eroding people's faith and confidence in the Congress party, he noted.

Results of such insincerity will be certainly visible at the time of elections, Gaikhangam cautioned while calling upon all the MLAs and Ministers to stop hog-washing and hoodwinking people.

Even as the UPA Government led by Congress party at the Centre has taken up several welfare schemes such as NREGS, waiving off loans indebted to farmers etc, the Congress party could not perform to the expectation in the elections held recently in different States of the country.

This was a major set-back which called for serious introspection, the MPCC president noted.

As for Manipur, the level of people's confidence enjoyed by the Congress party will be known after the District Council elections, he added.

The conference also deliberated on improvisation of transport and agricultural infrastructure in Churachandpur district before adopting a resolution which asked Ministers and MLAs to provide certain benefits to party workers.

The conference was also addressed by Mahila Congress president Priyomala, Youth Congress president Tilotama, MPCC general secretary (administration) Bidyapati Senjam, MLA Manga Vaiphei and Dr Chaltonlien Amo.

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