IMC polls : BJP keeps pre-poll pact option open
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 28 2011:
With the stated objective of saving Imphal city from administrative failures of the Congress party, the BJP State unit has kept open its option to form an alliance with like minded political parties with a view to the forthcoming Imphal Municipal Council (IMC) elections scheduled on May 25 .
Meanwhile, BJP has clarified that insertion of the words 'without territorial limits' in the Bangkok Declaration signed between the Government of India and NSCN-IM on June 14, 2001 was done at the wrong advice of the then interlocutor Padmanabhaih.
Speaking to media persons at their office today, BJP media affairs secretary L Basanta informed that the BJP State unit has been seriously considering formation of a political alliance with like minded political parties in order to save Imphal city from the misrule of Congress party.
Already, the party has completed the first round of negotiation with like minded political parties so that it can be finalised soon.
In the next round, other details like seat sharing etc would be finalised besides formulating an effective strategy to defeat the Congress party.
He exuded confidence that the next Imphal Municipal Council would be either headed by BJP or BJP would certainly be a partner of the ruling bench.
Though Basanta did not name any political party with which they have been negotiating for the proposed alliance, a team of MPP led by its vice-president were seen coming to the BJP office.
Reminding that it was the Congress led SPF Government which suspended the Congress led Imphal Municipal Council on the charge of corruption and administrative failures, he claimed that the Congress Govt's design to misappropriate around Rs 18 crores sanctioned for development of Imphal city when the IMC was under suspension was defeated after BJP complained to the Centre.
Acting on the complaint, the Centre issued stringent instructions that the sanctioned amount can be utilised only when the Council starts functioning, not when the Council is kept under suspension.
He further exuded that people would give their verdict against the Congress party as done in the by-election to Konthoujam AC.
Reacting to Chief Minister O Ibobi's allegations that BJP did not do anything for the welfare of Manipur except igniting violent protest movements, BJP spokesman and former Minister Salam Ibohal clarified that it was not BJP workers who set Manipur on fire.
It was done by the aggrieved and infuriated people.
He contended that Bangkok Declaration of 2001 which ignited violent and massive protest movements in Manipur was signed by the NDA Government led by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the wrong advice of interlocutor Padmanabhaih.
The massive protest movements which resulted in loss of 18 lives occurred when Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was down in hospital and Home Minister LK Advani was in charge of the Prime Minister.
Misled by the unilateral cease fire declared by the Radhabinod Government, the interlocutor miscalculated and gave wrong advice to LK Advani leading to insertion of the words 'without territorial limits' in the Bangkok Declaration, Ibohal said.
However, the same words were removed from the Declaration on June 27 as soon as Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee recovered.
The Prime Minister also apologised to the people of Manipur for the fait accompli done by his Government.
Talking about the works done by BJP-led NDA Government, Ibohal mentioned about the establishment DoNER Ministry exclusively for North East region, release of more than Rs 60 crores to the Government of Manipur for hosting the Vth National Games, sanction made for the flyover bridge, assent given for upgrading RIMS to the status of AIIMS etc.
He went on to question the authenticity of the Chief Minister's claim that BJP did nothing for the State and the North East region.
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