Stop befooling masses : Congress to BJP
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 16 2017:
BJP's assurances that the Framework Agreement signed between the Government of India and NSCN-IM would not harm Manipur in any manner while keeping the agreement a closely guarded secret is nothing but befooling the people of Manipur, asserted ex-Chief Minister Okram Ibobi.
He was speaking at a protest demonstration staged at Pangei Keithel held under the aegis of Khundrakpam Block Congress Committee against the BJP-led Government's obstinate refusal to divulge the details of Framework Agreement.
Disclosure of the details of Framework Agreement is a common demand of all the people of Manipur but the Central Government has been keeping it a closely guarded secret.
Such secretive nature of the BJP-led Government arouses deep suspicion among the masses in the backdrop of NSCN-IM's persistent demand to integrate Naga inhabited areas under one administrative unit, Ibobi stated.
Expressing strong aversion against any tendency to say one thing and do something totally different, Ibobi asserted that the Government must understand the people's pulse and act responsibly.
Everybody welcomes peace talks and solutions but Congress would not accept any solution which impinges upon the interests of any community of Manipur.
It would be wise if the Government does not do anything in the interest of a single community.
"We would like to know if the amount of Rs 325 crore announced by Chief Minister N Biren for taking up different projects in Tamenglong district has been incorporated in the State budget and whether it has been sanctioned.
If it is not earmarked in the budget, we would like to know from where this amount would come", Ibobi said.
Ex-Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam asserted that impressive rhetoric and lip-service cannot safeguard the integrity of Manipur.
The Government ought to inform the people about the details of the Framework Agreement.
On several occasions, Congress stood firm for the integrity of Manipur and acted in line with the pulse of the masses.
Very often, the Chief Minister has been claiming that several new projects/works have been taken up but all these projects were already taken up by the Congress Government.
The BJP-led coalition is cunning enough to claim rewards for the works done by the Congress Government.
It is rather surprising that Chief Minister N Biren's Government has been repeatedly saying that the Congress Government did nothing despite fully knowing about all the projects/works executed by the previous Congress Government, Gaikhangam remarked.
If one looks back at the incumbent Government's claim that Congress worked to draw multiple lines of internal division but they have been able to foster closer ties with the hill areas, everybody would realise who did what.
The massive civil movement of June 2001 erupted when there was BJP Government at the Centre, Gaikhangam pointed out.
Unrolling red carpets and presentation of traditional woollen shawls when the Chief Minister visits hill areas do not necessarily mean cordiality between hills and valley has been restored.
The Government must know that a poisonous snake is hidden under the red carpet.
It is hard to believe that aparty which liaise with a 'poisonous snake ' would work for the good of Manipur, Gaikhangam asserted.
It would be a big blunder if the masses are taken as fools.
Doublespeak and incompatibility between speech and action would not last long.
BJP Manipur Pradesh declared that they would not go together with NPF but the two parties are now close partners.
This is rather surprising. It was Congress party which stood firm for the integrity of Manipur against BJP's attempts to disintegrate the State Gaikhangam asserted.
The protest demonstration was also participated by many Congress MLAs and MPCC leaders.
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