Imphal, September 21 2010: Disclosing that threats on his life have increased for opposing any design or move to disintegrate Manipur , three MPCC president Gaikhangam, who is in his third term as the president of the State unit Congress, observed that because of such threats, the performance of the Congress in the last election to the Assembly in the hill districts was adversely affected.

A reception function in his honour was hosted jointly by ADC Tamenglong and District Congress Committee, Tamenglong at the Langol Tarung village residence of former Minister Z Mangaibou today afternoon.

Adrressing the leaders of various villages of Tamenglong district, ADC members and other party workers, Gaikhangam said that threats on his life have been increasing after he objected to the idea of bringing about the disintegration of Manipur and it is because of such threats that the performance of the party in the hill districts was not satisfactory in the last Assembly election.

Observing that people in the valley understand what he as the president of MPCC and Chief Minister O Ibobi, who is leading the Congress led Government, have been saying on the territorial integrity of Manipur, Gaikhngam said that people in the hills have also started realising this fact slowly.

He went on to say that just as there can be no Government without the party, better relation between the party and the Government has led to solving many of the important issues of the State.

When veteran leader of the party Rishang Keishing was the Chief Minister, MPCC used to remain as the single largest party and for the first time, the party has been able to get absolute majority in the general election of the Assembly under the leadership of the two present leaders, Gaikhangam said, while expressing confidence that his party would continue to serve the people in the years to become.

Expressing gratitude over his re-election to the post of MPCC chief as well as to all those who supported him throughout, Gaikhangam observed that AICC recognises the efforts being made by the party and the Government to protect the integrity of Manipur and ensure balance governance both in the hills and the valley for such a long time.

Admitting that there were some internal problems over the election of PCC president, Gaikhangam said that it is the culture of Congress party to bring about a consensus over any issues at the end and the party gives ample room for expressing different views among the members in the true democratic spirit.

So, there should be no room for any dissatisfaction among the members.

Congress does not believe in number but on its principles, he added.

He further informed the gathering that when a proposal was placed for including the name of Rajya Sabha member Rishang Keishing in the panel list of Vice President and Governors of India from the Northeast, Rishing himself has returned down the proposal on the ground that he would like to remain as a social worker.

This has shown that Rishing has full faith in the principle of the party, Gaikhangam added.

Vice Chairman of Hill Area Committee Khangthuanang Panmei and Chairman of ADC Tamenglong G Soihem Haomei were also among others spoke at the reception function.