Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 28:
Though the coalition partners of the SPF Govt-Congress (I) and CPI have agreed to contest the forthcoming elections in a friendly manner, things have been turning sour with the Assembly elections approaching fast.
In reaction to the statements made by Congress leaders at block level Congress workers' conference in Kumbi A/C concerning utilisation of MLA Local Area Development Fund, CPI had challenged its coalition partner to investigate utilisation of MLAD Funds by a House Committee instituted by the Assembly or a committee constituted by the State Government.
While maintaining its stand to fight the forthcoming elections in a friendly manner with the Congress party in accordance to the understanding of the SPF steering committee, CPI MLA and Fisheries Minister N Mangi called upon his party workers to campaign for elections strictly in line with the ideology of CPI.
The marked shift in the stance of the CPI came after the statement made by Bishnupur District Congress Committee president W Maipak at a Congress workers' conference at Kumbi H/S yesterday concerning utilisation of MLA Local area Development Fund in Kumbi constituency.
CPI Minister Mangi proposed for an investigation by a House committee into the use of MLAD fund in all Assembly constituencies of the State and to confirm as to which MLA made better use of the fund.
Reminding that the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister who is responsible for the MLAD fund is a Congress MLA, Mangi noted that the tirade against alleged faulty utilisation of MLAD fund was akin to criticising his own Minister.
However, being a partner of the incumbent Government, CPI felt annoyed at hearing such tirades, conveyed the Fisheries Minister.
If it is presumed that the development works in the Kumbi A/C are not compatible to the development works undertaken by the SPF Government all over the State, Mangi indirectly pointed the accusing finger at their coalition partner in case the presumption holds true as CPI have only two Ministers in the SPF Ministry.
Clarifying on the alleged involvement of politicians in the arrest of one Khangenbam James by 7 AR posted at Kumbi Setupur, he said that he had nothing to do with the arrest and he had no authority to use AR personnel for his personnel interest whatsoever.