Rahul Gandhi arrives to kick-start Cong's LS campaign
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 19 2019:
All India Congress Committee president Rahul Gandhi arrived here this afternoon and will formally launch Congress party's Lok Sabha campaign in the State tomorrow.
He would kick-start the Congress party's election campaign in the State by addressing a public rally at Hapta Kangjeibung at 11 am tomorrow.
Before addressing the public rally, he will interact with a group of youngsters in auditorium of Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS), Konung Mamang.
Sources informed that the interaction programme is being organised by a committee of Thangmeiband area.
Rahul Gandhi arrived here from Arunachal Pradesh at around 4 pm.
Soon after arrival, Rahul Gandhi held a meeting with Congress leaders, MLAs, ex-MLAs and MPCC office bearers.
The meeting deliberated on strengthening Congress party in the State and defeat rival BJP candidates in the ensuing Lok Sabha election.
Later, he paid homage at the Shahid Minar and interacted with women vendors of Khwairamband Keithel in the evening.
He will halt the night at the Imphal Hotel by Classic and leave Imphal for Agartala after addressing an election rally at Hapta Kangjeibung.
Meanwhile, voices of dissent have erupted within Congress party on the ground that CLP leader Okram Ibobi and MPCC president Gaikhangam overlooked the party's interest and acted in their personal interests while recommending probable candidates for Outer Manipur PC and Inner Manipur PC to the party's Central Election Committee.
Aggrieved by the two leaders' alleged self-centric approach to the Central Election Committee, many key office bearers, MLAs and supporters of the party stayed away from the reception function of Rahul Gandhi.
It is said that the Congress candidate for Outer Manipur PC may be announced only after Rahul Gandhi reaches Delhi.
Notably, Tongmang Haokip, W Lalkholam Hangshing, KS Ngaite, T Zangkhomang Haokip, Sword Vashum, John Manglianthang Zou and James Kashung have been seeking Congress ticket in Outer Manipur PC.
The contenders for Congress ticket in Inner Manipur PC are O Joy, Dr Ng Bijoy, RK Anand, O Nabakishore, Dr T Meinya, Sarangthem Manaobi (Khoiranthaba), M Bishwarjit, N Bhupenda and I Hemochandra.
On the other hand, ex-Chief Minister O Ibobi today inspected the arrangements being made at Hapta Kangjeibung for tomorrow's public rally which would be addressed by Rahul Gandhi.
Speaking to media persons there, Ibobi appealed to all the people to come and join the public rally.
Ibobi said that Rahul Gandhi will talk on many major issues at the State, regional, National and international levels at the public rally.
North East in general and Manipur in particular are very close to the hearts of Gandhi-Nehru family and they visit the State every time they are invited, Ibobi claimed.
People may judge later whether whatever promises Rahul Gandhi makes tomorrow are fulfilled or not, Ibobi said and added that Congress party always takes all its election manifestoes with utmost seriousness.
CWC Member and MPCC president Gaikhangam asserted that the incumbent Governments of both the Centre and the State are highly repressive and they have surpassed the British colonial rulers.
The situation is such that people are not allowed to speak a single word against the Government, Gaikhangam remarked.
It is a matter of grave concern that any criticism against the Government is treated and dealt as sedition.
Freedom of expression has lost its meaning these days, he said.
He went on to claim that the only political party which can rescue the country from such a grave situation is the Congress party.
Saying that the meeting scheduled at Hapta Kangjeibung is not a meeting of Congress party alone but for all the people of Manipur, Gaikhangam invited one and all to the public rally.
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