Cong-led alliance named MPSA
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 05 2022: The alliance formed by Indian National Congress, CPI, CPI-M, RSP, JD-S and Forward Bloc has been named Manipur Progressive Secular Alliance (MPSA) .

The alliance today released a list of policies and programmes which they would enact and implement, in case they are elected to power in the forthcoming election.

Briefing media persons at Congress Bhavan here this afternoon, CLP leader and ex-Chief Minister Okram Ibobi said that the six parties have unanimously agreed to name their alliance as MPSA.

Notably, the press meet was attended by leaders of all the six constituent parties.

They also released a list of policies and programmes which have been unanimously agreed upon by the constituent parties.

As detailed in the list, the MPSA has agreed to secure the territorial integrity of Manipur and its historical boundaries, secure freedom and rights of all citizens, protect federal structure of India as a Union of States, preserve, protect and promote communal harmony and peace in the State and bring about sustainable economic growth in the next five years to deliver economic justice, ensure livelihood income to every family.

Cong-led alliance named MPSA

The MPSA has agreed to enact Right to Free Healthcare Law for economically weaker section, provide unemployment allowance to the youth, deliver effective welfare schemes for the poor and unorganised workers and make Manipur self-sufficient in rice production, guarantee procurement of farmers' produce and ensure one-crop farmers become two-crop and three-crop farmers in the next five years, in case they are elected to power.

To promote entrepreneurs, scientists, innovators, artisans, weavers, craftsmen and all professionals to generate new ideas, products and services to unleash the economic potential of the State was another common agenda incorporated in the list.

To provide universal access to safe drinking water and uninterrupted power supply to every household and fight against the drug menace by implementing the law without fear or favour and endeavour to bring its victims on the path to normalcy were some other points which figure in the list.

The MPSA has also agreed to provide reliable public transport services, empower women economically and politically, give free public transport to working women, girl child and school students, fulfil democratic aspirations of all regions and all people of the State and ensure full implementation of Article 371(C) of the Constitution.

Ibobi remarked that both the State Government and the Central Government led by the BJP say one thing and do another and have been taking the people of Manipur for a ride by indulging in cheap publicity and propaganda.

The BJP-led Governments of the State and the Centre have been challenging the very foundation of democracy by encouraging political horse-trading and defections, the CLP leader asserted.

There are ups and downs in any political journey.

It is natural for a political party to be in power at one point of time and sit on Opposition Bench at another period.

The fate and fortunes of all political parties depend on the verdicts given by the people, Ibobi said.

He then recalled that the people of Manipur gave their verdict in favour of Congress party in the last State Assembly election and as a result, Congress emerged as the single largest party.

While Congress secured 28 seats, BJP was able to win only 21 seats.

Yet, BJP submitted a list of MLAs to the Governor including an MLA elected on Congress ticket and staked claim to form Government.

Even as the list of MLAs included one MLA elected on Congress ticket, the Governor did not have the guts to reject the list and BJP was somehow allowed to form Government in a very unconstitutional manner, Ibobi said.

"If such unconstitutional activities go on any longer, democracy would lose all its meaning in Manipur and India and we fear rise of dictatorship in the end", Ibobi said.

It has been generally accepted that the press/media is the fourth pillar of democracy.

Taking serious note of the ever growing challenges to democracy and freedom of press, six like-minded parties joined hands and formed MPSA with a firm determination to save Manipur and democracy, Ibobi asserted.

He said that the first priority of the alliance is abolition of the BJP-led Government.

CPI National Executive Member Dr M Nara said that both the incumbent Central and State Governments are anti-people but pro-corporate houses.

Recalling the sudden overnight decision of demonetisation, Dr Nara accused the BJP Government of privatising all public enterprises.

If such a Government is re-elected for the third consecutive term, all the people would land in untold misery, Dr Nara remarked.

He said that it was this common concern which brought the six parties together.

Prices of all essential commodities have skyrocketed and the Government is unable to control prices of fuel.

The incumbent Government is only good in rhetoric and it has even set its sight on amending the Constitution's Preamble, Dr Nara continued.

At this juncture, it is very crucial for the MPSA to chalk out a common minimum programme, he asserted.

AICC Parliamentary Committee Chairman and Senior Election Observer (Manipur) Jairam Ramesh claimed that the pre-poll alliance formed by Congress party and five other like-minded parties with the primary objective of protecting democracy and instal a people's Government is a historic step even though BJP has its team B .