Imphal, Apr 10 : As the 15th Lok Sabha election come closer all the political parties in the contest are campaigning in full swing.
The Congress has not been left behind even as the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) hoisted its party flag today and challenged all other contestants that the Congres would defeat and win by margins above one lakh voters from each party.
The Congree also promised every family living below the poverty line in rural and urban areas would be entitled by law to 25 kgs of rice or wheat per month at Rs. 3 per kg.
Okram Ibobi Singh, the chief minister of Manipur who attended the flag hoisting ceremony maintained that in the prevailing situation in Manipur, elections either to the Lok Sabha or Vidhan Sabha crucially need rational and decisive mandate of the voters envisaging accountable and transparent governance.
The voters need to pick the right candidate considering the future of the state, he said.
However, people sometimes failed to choose the correct person through the influence of some political parties he charged. And all the other parties who criticized the Congress are well known by the public and people should understand and already know the bitter experience they have had under them, he said.
He also pointed out to the people that MPP candidate Th Chaoba is none other than that person who set Manipur aflame in with the ceasefire issue when he was serving as MP from the state.
He further noted that Th Chaoba is a fickle politician who can change party colours whenever he feels it will benefit him.
Such selfish persons cannot think about the people of Manipur. They are interested in conducting their own businesses under the guise of politics, he charged.
He said it is Congress which brought development in the state.
Talking about territorial integrity, he maintained that not a single inch of land would be affected. The territorial integrity of Manipur will be safeguarded, he reassured. We all know that every state in the North East has been given statehood already. Therefore, there is no question of breaking the territorial integrity of any state, he said.
The Congress sought a renewed mandate from the people and also pledged to continue their work to ensure a life of security, dignity and prosperity. The fresh mandate should be on the basis of its core values and ideology - secularism, nationalism, social justice and economic growth for all as well as on the basis of their heritage record of service and vision of the future, he said.
Congress is the only party that derives its strength from every section of the society and the party believes economic growth, communal harmony and social justice always go hand in hand.
The Congress party is the only party that combines experience and youth, wisdom and exuberance, achievement and ambition, he said.
Addressing the ceremony, MPCC president Gaikhangam noted that the Congress is anchored in the larger vision of Manipur as a state, while at the same time being sensitive to regional and local sentiments. And it is the Congress commitment to a strong centre for a strong state and strong Panchayats to Nagarpalikas. And the Congress is fighting these election is alliance with like minded parties in some states.
These parties share the progressive vision and values of the Congress. Over the past five years, the Congress has managed a coalition government at the Centre accommodating the views of its partners but without compromising on any of the essential principles of nation building, he said.
Mentioning about the territorial integrity, he further maintained that he did not believe those people who only criticize the Congress. The integrity of Manipur will not be hurt at any cost, since its safeguard has already been undertaken by the present government. And the safeguard of territorial integrity will not be able to handle by any parties and it is fact that the safeguard is already taken by the people of Manipur.
Therefore, he appealed to the people of the state to vote for Congress which has been relentlessly endeavouring to fulfill the expectations of the people and also to vote for it on the strength of its contribution, its convictions, its concerns and its charter.
Dr. T. Meinya who brought various development in the state for last 5 years like bringing railway in the state, turning Manipur University into a Central university and also asked the Indian government to repeal AFSPA and also persuade the Indian government to destroy all the designated camp of NSCN(IM) in the state.
On various allegations which were put up against him that the MP was found sleeping and unable to give any comment in the parliament regarding territorial integrity, he mentioned that it was useless to give any comment in that matter when the integrity of the state is not going to be hurt at any cost. Even Sonia and Rahul Gandhi gave full assurance in that matter.
The flag hoisting ceremony was held at the residence of Congress candidate for Inner Manipur Constituency, Dr. T Meinya at Khumbong this morning and attended by Rishang Keishing, MP Rajya Sabha, N Loken, minister for agriculture, S Budhichandra, Speaker of the legislative Assembly, L Jayenta, education minister, Gaikhangam, MPCC president, Phungzathang, power minister, E Kunjakeshor, T Mangi Babu, W Brajabidhu, I Hemochandra, PDA chairman Loken and other functionaries of MPCC.
Imphal, April 10 : People in Manipur fear that with political parties gearing up for the 15th Lok Sabha elections, militants are trying to vitiate the atmosphere and create a fear psychosis amongst political leaders and workers.