Makunga led NPF launches stinging attack on BJP led Govt
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 18 2018: One faction of the NPF Manipur State Unit led by Morung Makunga has expressed strong resentment against BJP over the latter's alleged undue interference in Autonomous District Councils and lack of development in the hill areas of the State.

The other faction is led by MLA Awangbow Newmai.

Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club here today, NPF Manipur State unit president Morung Makunga and general secretary Honreikhui Kashung pointed out that the incumbent State Government is a coalition Government and NPF is one of the partners even though there was no pre-poll alliance between BJP and NPF.

As BJP could not secure majority in the 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly election, the party's Central leaders approached NPF to forge an alliance with them.

Subsequently NPF joined the BJP-led alliance with an understanding to bring peace and development in the State.

Makunga led NPF launches stinging attack on BJP led Govt

However, the domineering approach adopted by BJP towards NPF despite being coalition partners is a matter of serious concern, Morung Makunga said.

With the people's mandate, NPF formed the Autonomous District Councils of Tamenglong, Ukhrul and Senapati.

However, in Chandel ADC, NPF could not win majority.

As such, the party talked with BJP to form Chandel ADC collectively.

But BJP was reluctant to support NPF notwithstanding the fact that the two parties are partners of the incumbent coalition Government.

After shunning NPF, BJP took some INC Members within their fold and formed the Chandel ADC.

BJP next targeted Tamenglong ADC.

By giving voting right to the ADC Members nominated by the Government, the Tamenglong ADC Chairman was removed but the Chairman challenged the same move in the Supreme Court and the apex Court passed a judgement in favour of the Chairman.

As a result, NPF still holds power in Tamenglong ADC, Morung Makunga said.

NPF is also in power Senapati ADC but BJP has been trying to take over the ADC by taking some NPF Members within their fold.

As a result, the incumbent Chairman has been asked to show his strength on February 25, he said.

Such domineering attitude of BJP and their policy to capture all the ADCs held by NPF is rather unfortunate.

If BJP continues with such domineering policy, there is no point for NPF to remain within the coalition Government, Morung Makunga said.

He alleged that during a recent meeting of Ukhrul ADC Members where NPF MLA K Leishiyo was also present, Chief Minister N Biren approached some NPF ADC Members and invited them to BJP.

Questioning whether the Chief Minister's invitation was intentional or unintentional, the NPF Manipur State unit president asked how the Chief Minister sees NPF.

NPF is a political party.

It does not matter whether it is big or small, Morung Makunga pointed out while asking the Chief Minister whether he was deliberately insulting NPF MLAs and/or the party.

As the Nagaland election process has been going on in full swing, NPF Manipur State unit will remain silent for the time being.

But once the Nagaland election is over, the party will take a concrete decision.

Notably, NPF and BJP were allies in Nagaland but they have parted ways recently.

Honreikhui Kashung alleged that the development packages announced by the Chief Minister for the hill districts are nothing but empty words.

The has been no development in the hill areas of the State under the incumbent Government.

Funds sanctioned for the ADCs are not released in time and when they are released certain percentages are always deducted, Honreikhui alleged.

He further alleged that certain percentages are deducted compulsorily from all funds sanctioned for different schemes in spite of the Government's impressive corruption-free and transparent governance.

Even though some supplies and contractors might have benefited, the incumbent Government has so far failed to bring any tangible development in the hill areas of the State, he alleged.

National Highways is the only exception where some development can be seen.

During his visit to Ukhrul district headquarters, N Biren announced that Imphal-Ukhrul road would be developed/repaired starting from the next day but till today only a short stretch of 4 Kms has been repaired/developed, Honreikhui Kashung said.